Cereals Lead the Surge
In the cereals category, Bajra (Pearl Millet) is witnessing a notable premium. While the center has fixed the MSP at ₹2,775 per quintal, market transactions are peaking at ₹3,664.16, representing a nearly 32% increase over the support price. This surge is mirrored in Jowar (Sorghum), where market rates have reached as high as ₹5,614.01 per quintal, dwarfing the MSP of ₹3,699.00.
Even staple crops like Paddy and Wheat are holding strong. Common Paddy is trading at a maximum of ₹2,750.43 per quintal against an MSP of ₹2,369.00, while Wheat has seen prices climb to ₹3,339.30, significantly higher than the official floor of ₹2,425.00.
Oilseeds and Fibre Crops: High Demand, Low Arrival
The oilseeds sector shows the most dramatic disparity between government support and market reality. Mustard, with an MSP of ₹5,950.00, has seen market prices touch ₹8,000.00 per quintal, despite extremely low arrivals in the current window. Similarly, Safflower (Kusum) is trading at a high of ₹7,815.48, well above its ₹5,940.00 MSP.
Cotton, a critical cash crop for the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, remains a high-value commodity. Prices have stabilized around the ₹8,086.74 per quintal mark, providing a healthy margin over the ₹7,710.00 support price.
Data Summary: MSP vs. Market Peak (2026-27)
| Commodity | MSP (₹/Quintal) | Market High (₹/Quintal) | Total Arrivals (Metric Tonnes) |
| Bajra | 2,775.00 | 3,664.16 | 165.40 |
| Jowar | 3,699.00 | 5,614.01 | 179.40 |
| Wheat | 2,425.00 | 3,339.30 | 1,409.40 |
| Cotton | 7,710.00 | 8,086.74 | 1,892.50 |
| Mustard | 5,950.00 | 8,000.00 | 4.10 |
Administrative and Market Outlook
Agricultural officials note that while the MSP serves as a critical safety net, the current price discovery in the open market indicates a supply-side tightness and high industrial demand, particularly for coarse cereals and oilseeds. The Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) report that arrival volumes for crops like Wheat and Cotton are robust, whereas the trickle-fed arrivals of oilseeds are contributing to the sharp price spikes.
The significant gap between the MSP and market rates suggests that government procurement may remain low this season, as farmers find more lucrative deals with private traders and exporters. For the administrative machinery, the focus now shifts to ensuring transparent bidding and timely payments within the mandis to maintain this positive momentum for the state’s farming community.
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