Chennai: Urad prices trended upwards this week, driven by a slowdown in selling at lower price levels and an improvement in demand. Reduced market arrivals have spurred activity among pulse millers, providing support to prices. Sowing of Urad in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra was delayed by approximately 15–20 days this year compared to the norm. A weak monsoon impacted sowing in several regions, an effect now visible in market availability. Arrivals of old-crop Urad have nearly ceased in most *mandis* (wholesale markets), keeping the supply pipeline tight. Pressure from new-crop arrivals is expected to begin in the last week of September; however, uncertainty regarding the new crop's output persists due to the delayed sowing and changing weather conditions. Meanwhile, limited stocks in Rangoon and restrained selling by exporters have prevented any pressure on the supply of imported Urad. Consequently, domestic availability is likely to remain limited until the new crop arrives, potentially keeping Urad prices firm. With subdued selling by importers and sustained buying interest, Urad prices in Chennai rose by ₹175–200 per quintal this week, reaching ₹8,575 per quintal for FAQ and ₹9,200 per quintal for SQ varieties.

Due to reduced selling by exporters and rising export demand, prices for Burma Urad increased by $10 per tonne for both FAQ and SQ varieties this week, closing at $890 per tonne for FAQ and $970 per tonne for SQ.

Supported by rising prices at ports and sustained demand, Urad prices in Delhi recorded an increase of ₹150–200 per quintal this week. With this upward trend, prices reached ₹8,975 per quintal for FAQ and ₹9,550 per quintal for SQ by the weekend.

Driven by rising demand, Urad prices in Madhya Pradesh saw an increase of ₹100–200 per quintal during the week; by the weekend, prices stood at ₹5,000–8,500 in Jabalpur, ₹5,700–8,500 in Kareli, ₹6,000–8,000 in Damoh, and ₹6,500–9,000 per quintal in Indore.

Increased buying activity led to a rise of ₹100–200 per quintal in Maharashtra's Urad prices this week; by the weekend, prices were ₹9,250 in Akola, ₹8,000–9,000 in Latur, ₹7,700–9,000 in Jalgaon, ₹5,000–8,800 in Barshi, and ₹4,500–8,500 per quintal in Ahmednagar.

Supported by a broad-based upward trend and sustained buying, Urad prices in Krishna District and Vijayawada rose by ₹100 per quintal this week; by the weekend, prices settled at ₹8,900 per quintal in Krishna District and ₹9,000 per quintal in Vijayawada. Conversely, Urad prices in Rajasthan saw a decline of ₹100–200 per quintal this week, with weekend prices standing at ₹7,700–8,600 in Jaipur and ₹5,000–7,300 per quintal in Kota.

Due to the impact of the decline in Urad prices and sluggish demand, Urad dal prices fell by ₹100–200 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹10,600–11,800 per quintal in Delhi, ₹10,100–11,200 in Bhatapara, ₹11,800 in Jalgaon, ₹9,600–10,600 in Meerut, and ₹10,600–11,600 in Vijayawada.