Bihar Market Watch: Paddy Holds Steady at MSP as Vegetable Prices Face Volatility

In contrast to the steady performance of cereals, the horticultural market is navigating a more complex pricing environment. Onion prices have seen a significant surge, with peak market rates reaching 2,350.00 per quintal against a weighted average of 2,311.11 per quintal. This price point sits significantly higher than the low-end arrivals, which were recorded at 1,958.62 per quintal, suggesting a tightening supply or localized demand spikes. Meanwhile, the potato market is experiencing its own set of pressures; although prices have hit a high of 1,470.59 per quintal, the average intake price has dipped as low as 932.31 per quintal during peak arrival periods. With potato arrivals reaching 76.33 metric tonnes—the highest volume among the tracked commodities—the downward pressure on prices highlights the perennial challenge of managing post-harvest gluts in the absence of expanded cold chain infrastructure.

The current administrative data underscores the dual nature of Bihar's agricultural trade: a regulated, MSP-compliant cereal market and a volatile, supply-driven vegetable market. For state officials and agricultural planners, the consistency in paddy pricing represents a successful implementation of price support mechanisms. However, the wide variance in potato and onion costs emphasizes the need for continued focus on market interventions and storage solutions to protect growers from sudden price crashes. As the season progresses, the ability of the state's procurement and distribution networks to balance these fluctuating arrivals will be instrumental in maintaining both farmer income and consumer affordability across the region.