Despite these high valuations, arrival volumes remain remarkably lean, with Black Gram and Bengal Gram recording modest inflows of 0.30 and 0.60 metric tonnes respectively. This scarcity in the wholesale markets suggests that while the value per unit is high, the actual volume of trade is constricted, likely putting upward pressure on retail costs for the average household. In the vegetable sector, the market remains steady but firm. Onion prices have stabilized at 3,750.00 per quintal with an arrival of 2.50 metric tonnes, while potatoes are trading at 2,250.00 per quintal with a consistent arrival volume of 4.20 metric tonnes. Unlike pulses, these perishables lack a specific MSP mandate for the current cycle, leaving their valuation entirely to the fluctuations of regional trade and seasonal availability.
The administrative and economic implications of these price points are significant for Manipur’s regional food security. The massive gap between the MSP and the market price for pulses indicates that farmers and traders are finding much better returns in the open market than through government procurement channels, which may affect state stock buffering. As the 2026-27 season progresses, the state’s agricultural department and market observers will be closely monitoring whether these high prices incentivize increased local production or if the reliance on external supply continues to dictate the high cost of living in the Imphal valley and surrounding hill districts.
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