In contrast to paddy farmers getting lower rates due to discoloration, Basmati growers have witnessed over 50% jump in price for their produce in the ongoing kharif marketing season in Punjab and Haryana.
Aromatic varieties of basmati paddy are fetching Rs3,200 to Rs3,900 per quintal as against Rs2,200 to Rs2,500 per quintal last year, traders said. “This season, farmers are getting better returns for basmati crop despite there being some loss in quality and yield due to untimely rains,” rice exporter Vijay Setia, Director, Chaman lal Setia Export limited said on Monday.
“There is an upswing in prices of all kinds of basmati varieties this year on the back of strong demand,” he said.
Popular basmati varieties like PUSA 1121 and 1509 are commanding price between Rs3,600 to Rs3,900 per quintal as against rate of Rs2,400-Rs2,500 per quintal that prevailed
last year.