Chennai. Prices in the domestic Urad market recorded a significant rise this week, driven by limited selling and robust buying interest. Active purchasing by pulse mills and stockists fostered a firm market sentiment, while concerns regarding the crop—stemming from a weak monsoon—provided strong support to prices. Sowing for the Kharif season has failed to gain the expected momentum due to the sluggish progress of the monsoon in key Urad-producing states. According to government data, Urad has been sown across only 9.34 lakh hectares so far, compared to 13.29 lakh hectares during the same period last year. Consequently, the Urad acreage for the current season is lower by 3.95 lakh hectares, fueling market concerns about future production. Demand for Urad is likely to improve further as pulse consumption rises from the latter half of July through August. Meanwhile, high import costs and subdued selling by importers are also providing strong market support. This trend was evident in the major trading hub of Chennai, where Urad prices surged by ₹400–450 per quintal this week. Following this rally, FAQ-grade Urad reached ₹9,300 per quintal, and SQ-grade Urad hit ₹10,050 per quintal. iGrain India believes that unless there is a significant improvement in the monsoon soon and the sowing deficit is bridged, the trend of firm Urad prices is likely to persist, supported by limited domestic availability, strong demand, and high import costs.

Due to subdued selling pressure from exporters and improved export demand, prices for Burmese Urad (FAQ and SQ varieties) rose by $30 per tonne during the week. By the weekend, prices stood at $950 per tonne for FAQ and $1,045 per tonne for SQ.

Supported by rising prices at ports and increased demand, Urad prices in Delhi recorded an increase of ₹300–400 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices reached ₹9,500 per quintal for FAQ and ₹10,200 per quintal for SQ.

Driven by reduced selling pressure and rising demand, Urad prices in Madhya Pradesh saw a surge of ₹400–500 per quintal during the week. By the weekend, prices stood at ₹5,000–9,700 per quintal in Jabalpur, ₹5,000–10,000 in Kareli, ₹8,800–9,600 in Damoh, and ₹7,500–10,500 in Indore.

Sustained demand led to an increase of ₹500–600 per quintal in Urad prices across Maharashtra this week. By the weekend, prices were ₹9,600 per quintal in Akola, ₹5,000–8,600 in Latur, ₹7,700–9,400 in Jalgaon, ₹6,000–9,300 in Barshi, and ₹4,500–8,500 in Ahmednagar.

Driven by a broad-based rally and sustained buying, Urad prices in Krishna District and Vijayawada surged by ₹750–₹1,000 per quintal this week; by the weekend, prices stood at ₹10,450 per quintal in Krishna District and ₹10,500–₹10,600 per quintal in Vijayawada. Similarly, prices for Rajasthan-origin Urad rose by ₹700–₹800 per quintal, reaching ₹8,200–₹9,200 per quintal in Jaipur and ₹7,500–₹8,800 per quintal in Kota by the weekend.

Supported by the rally in Urad and rising demand, Urad Dal prices increased by ₹500–₹700 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices were recorded at ₹11,250–₹12,950 per quintal in Delhi, ₹10,200–₹12,000 in Bhatapara, ₹12,500–₹12,600 in Jalgaon, ₹10,100–₹11,100 in Meerut, and ₹11,300–₹13,000 in Vijayawada.