According to the latest administrative figures for the 2026-27 cycle, Lentils have emerged as the most expensive commodity in the pulses segment, trading at a high of ₹9,238.74 per quintal—well above the established MSP of ₹6,700.00. This substantial gap highlights a robust market demand that continues to outpace the government's guaranteed rates, even as arrival volumes remain relatively stable around the 114-metric-tonne mark. In contrast, the cereal sector shows a more subdued start; Paddy (Common) maintains an MSP of ₹2,369.00, though current market arrivals are minimal, suggesting a season still in its early stages of transition.
The vegetable market, meanwhile, is experiencing the typical "see-saw" effect of perishable logistics. Tomatoes have seen the most dramatic price swings, with costs peaking at ₹3,475.69 per quintal before settling back toward ₹2,828.35 as supply volumes fluctuated between 101 and 185 metric tonnes. Onions and potatoes, the twin pillars of the Indian kitchen, remain relatively anchored but are not without their own pressures. Onions are currently trading near the ₹2,700 mark, while potatoes remain the most accessible produce for the general public, hovering consistently around ₹1,250 per quintal despite a slight dip in total arrival tonnage.
As the 2026-27 marketing season progresses, the administrative focus remains on monitoring these price ceilings to ensure food security and fair returns for growers. The stark premium on pulses like Masur suggests that while MSP provides a theoretical floor, the actual economic heartbeat of Assam’s markets is being driven by localized scarcity and high consumer demand. For policymakers and traders alike, the coming months will be a test of maintaining this balance, ensuring that the volatility seen in the vegetable sector does not spill over into broader inflationary pressure for the households of Assam.
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