Starting from this year, the continued unrest in the Middle East region has led to trade problems for India. Some of the problems that have been experienced include increased costs of shipment and container freight rates. However, there is positive news for farmers growing the premium Basmati rice. This is because the price of this rice has risen above ₹5,000 per quintal in several markets in the Haryana region. The prices have reached close to ₹5,500 in some markets, giving better prices compared to last year. As per traders, the rise in prices of Basmati rice in international markets and export demands have played an important role in improving their prices in domestic markets.

According to the news, the highest prices for the Basmati Pusa 1121 variety have been recorded in Barwala Mandi in Hisar district at ₹5,471 per quintal. In the Bapauli Mandi of Panipat district, the price for the same variety has reached ₹5,391. Maximum prices of ₹5,050 per quintal have been realized for this variety in Hasanpur Mandi in Palwal district, while ₹5,201 per quintal have been realized in Ballabhgarh Mandi in Faridabad district.

According to the media reports, last year the price for Basmati rice in Haryana has been between ₹3,500 to ₹4,600 per quintal. This year, the price that farmers are getting ranges from ₹4,500 to ₹5,300 per quintal based on the variety and quality. However, prices vary depending on the market, moisture content, grain quality, and buyer demand.

The average yield of Basmati in Haryana is estimated to be 18 to 22 quintals per acre. This means farmers can earn a gross revenue of approximately ₹81,000 to ₹1.60 lakh per acre, before deducting cultivation costs.

Ankush Sansarwal, a farmer from Radaur in Yamunanagar district, recently told the media that he sold his 5-acre crop of the Musthal variety at a price of approximately ₹4,700 to ₹5,000 per quintal. According to him, this earned him over ₹1.10 lakh per acre. He said that this is the first time he has heard of the Musthal variety reaching ₹5,000 per quintal.

The Pusa 1121 Basmati variety is known for its long grains and the length of the grains after ripening. It is in demand among domestic rice mills and foreign buyers. Traders say that rising prices in the international market have boosted the Indian Basmati trade. Gulf countries and the Middle East are major buyers of Indian Basmati.

According to the All India Rice Exporters Association, Basmati farmers in Punjab are receiving approximately 53% higher prices compared to last year. Demand in West Asia has also supported prices. However, uncertainties related to freight and sea routes amid the Iran-US conflict remain a challenge for exporters.

Basmati rice is sold primarily in the open market. Unlike regular rice, it is not procured on a large scale under the MSP-based government procurement system. Therefore, market prices and export demand directly impact farmers' earnings.

Karnal, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Fatehabad, and Yamunanagar are major Basmati production and trade areas in Haryana. Consequently, increased demand in the international market is expected to provide farmers with better prices. However, the level at which prices will remain in future will depend on export demand, global competition, arrivals in the markets and government trade policies.

Starting from this year, the continued unrest in the Middle East region has led to trade problems for India. Some of the problems that have been experienced include increased costs of shipment and container freight rates. However, there is positive news for farmers growing the premium Basmati rice. This is because the price of this rice has risen above ₹5,000 per quintal in several markets in the Haryana region. The prices have reached close to ₹5,500 in some markets, giving better prices compared to last year. As per traders, the rise in prices of Basmati rice in international markets and export demands have played an important role in improving their prices in domestic markets.

According to the news, the highest prices for the Basmati Pusa 1121 variety have been recorded in Barwala Mandi in Hisar district at ₹5,471 per quintal. In the Bapauli Mandi of Panipat district, the price for the same variety has reached ₹5,391. Maximum prices of ₹5,050 per quintal have been realized for this variety in Hasanpur Mandi in Palwal district, while ₹5,201 per quintal have been realized in Ballabhgarh Mandi in Faridabad district.

According to the media reports, last year the price for Basmati rice in Haryana has been between ₹3,500 to ₹4,600 per quintal. This year, the price that farmers are getting ranges from ₹4,500 to ₹5,300 per quintal based on the variety and quality. However, prices vary depending on the market, moisture content, grain quality, and buyer demand.

The average yield of Basmati in Haryana is estimated to be 18 to 22 quintals per acre. This means farmers can earn a gross revenue of approximately ₹81,000 to ₹1.60 lakh per acre, before deducting cultivation costs.

Ankush Sansarwal, a farmer from Radaur in Yamunanagar district, recently told the media that he sold his 5-acre crop of the Musthal variety at a price of approximately ₹4,700 to ₹5,000 per quintal. According to him, this earned him over ₹1.10 lakh per acre. He said that this is the first time he has heard of the Musthal variety reaching ₹5,000 per quintal.

The Pusa 1121 Basmati variety is known for its long grains and the length of the grains after ripening. It is in demand among domestic rice mills and foreign buyers. Traders say that rising prices in the international market have boosted the Indian Basmati trade. Gulf countries and the Middle East are major buyers of Indian Basmati.

According to the All India Rice Exporters Association, Basmati farmers in Punjab are receiving approximately 53% higher prices compared to last year. Demand in West Asia has also supported prices. However, uncertainties related to freight and sea routes amid the Iran-US conflict remain a challenge for exporters.

Basmati rice is sold primarily in the open market. Unlike regular rice, it is not procured on a large scale under the MSP-based government procurement system. Therefore, market prices and export demand directly impact farmers' earnings.

Karnal, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Fatehabad, and Yamunanagar are major Basmati production and trade areas in Haryana. Consequently, increased demand in the international market is expected to provide farmers with better prices. However, the level at which prices will remain in future will depend on export demand, global competition, arrivals in the markets and government trade policies.