Chennai: Urad prices recorded a decline during the current week due to selling pressure from importers at elevated price levels and subdued demand from pulse mills. The market remained under pressure as buyer activity waned at higher prices and importers increased their selling. Meanwhile, arrivals of domestic Urad remained limited; however, prices failed to find significant support from this due to relatively weak demand. According to traders, millers are currently purchasing only to meet immediate requirements and are refraining from large-scale deals. Government data indicates that Urad has been sown across 18.67 lakh hectares so far this season, compared to 17.27 lakh hectares during the same period last year. Thus, the acreage under Urad in the current season is 1.40 lakh hectares higher than last year. Market experts suggest that if demand from pulse mills does not improve in the near future and selling by importers continues, pressure on Urad prices is likely to persist. However, the limited availability of domestic Urad could potentially curb a sharp decline. Due to increased selling pressure from importers and persistent weak demand, Chennai Urad prices fell by ₹200–₹400 per quintal this week, settling at ₹9,200 per quintal for FAQ and ₹9,700 per quintal for SQ varieties.

Prices for Burma Urad dropped by $25 per tonne for FAQ and $30 per tonne for SQ varieties during the week, driven by increased selling from exporters and sluggish export demand. By the end of the week, prices stood at $925 per tonne for FAQ and $1,015 per tonne for SQ.

Due to the impact of a market downturn and sluggish demand, Urad prices in Delhi fell by ₹150–300 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹9,400–9,425 per quintal for FAQ quality and ₹9,900–9,925 per quintal for SQ quality.

Increased selling pressure and weak demand led to a decline of ₹100–200 per quintal in Urad prices across Madhya Pradesh this week. By the weekend, prices settled at ₹7,000–9,500 in Jabalpur, ₹5,700–9,250 in Kareli, ₹8,200–9,300 in Damoh, and ₹7,500–10,000 per quintal in Indore.

Persistent weak demand resulted in a drop of ₹200–300 per quintal in Urad prices in Maharashtra this week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹9,750 in Akola, ₹5,000–8,600 in Latur, ₹7,700–9,300 in Jalgaon, ₹5,000–9,100 in Barshi, and ₹4,500–8,500 per quintal in Ahmednagar.

Influenced by the general market decline and weak buying interest, Urad prices in Krishna District and Vijayawada fell by ₹600–700 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices were ₹9,650 per quintal in Krishna District and ₹9,700–9,800 per quintal in Vijayawada. Similarly, Urad prices in Rajasthan saw a softening of ₹100 per quintal; by the weekend, prices stood at ₹8,200–9,200 in Jaipur and ₹7,500–8,500 per quintal in Kota.

Due to the decline in Urad prices and sluggish demand, Urad dal prices fell by ₹200–300 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹11,050–12,750 per quintal in Delhi, ₹10,000–11,800 in Bhatapara, ₹12,300 in Jalgaon, ₹10,000–11,000 in Meerut, and ₹11,300–12,800 in Vijayawada.