Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Drought and Festive Demand Push Grain Prices Higher Across Maharashtra
Many everyday foods are becoming more expensive in Maharashtra before Diwali.
Pulses, rice, jowar and wheat have all gone up in price.
Traders say drought and limited supplies are important reasons.
Tur dal and chana dal have become costlier.
Rice prices have risen for several varieties.
Jowar has been affected by scanty rainfall, while wheat has also become more expensive.
Green gram prices have gone up too.
Traders say prices may rise further if the situation continues.
Prices of pulses, rice, jowar and wheat have risen ahead of Diwali, increasing pressure on household grocery budgets.
Tur dal rose Rs14-16 in two weeks to around Rs132 per kg, while chana dal climbed Rs10 to Rs90-94 per kg.
Rice prices increased across varieties; premium Kali Muchh and Mother India rose from Rs55 to Rs70 per kg.
Barshi Jowar now costs Rs67-70 per kg, and wheat has risen Rs2-3 to Rs32-40 per kg.
Traders cite drought-hit production and restricted arrivals, and warn prices could rise further if conditions persist.
- Who
- Consumers and grocery traders in Maharashtra; merchant Sunil Kankaria commented on the price rises.
- What
- Prices of pulses, rice, jowar and wheat have increased ahead of Diwali.
- When
- Ahead of Diwali; tur dal rose over the preceding fortnight.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, with prices reported from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- Why
- Traders attribute the increases to drought-hit production, scanty rainfall, restricted arrivals and increased festive demand for some foods.
- Tur dal
- Around Rs132 per kg after rising Rs14-16 in a fortnight.
- Chana dal
- Rs90-94 per kg after a Rs10 increase.
- Premium rice
- Kali Muchh and Mother India rose from Rs55 to Rs70 per kg.
- Other rice varieties
- Kolam: Rs75-80/kg; Indrayani: Rs62-70/kg; Ambemohar: Rs170/kg after a Rs20 rise.
- Jowar
- Barshi Jowar costs Rs67-70/kg; reported wholesale prices are Rs50-75/kg.
- Wheat
- Rs32-40 per kg after a Rs2-3 increase.
- Green gram
- Rs110-112 per kg after an Rs8 increase.