Barley falls on profit-booking

<p>Barley prices declined by Rs 18.50 to Rs 1,282 per quintal in the futures trade today as speculators booked profits at existing higher levels.

Marketmen said apart from profit-booking at higher levels, increased supply and reduced offtake in physical markets, mainly put weight here on futures price of barley.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, barley price for the far August contract dropped by Rs 28.50, or 1.42%, to Rs 1,282 per quintal, with an open interest of 3,160 lots.

The June contract slided by Rs 15.50, or 1.25%, to Rs 1,226 per quintal, having an open interest of 7,920 lots, while the July contract declined by Rs 15, or 1.18%, at Rs 1,254 per quintal, clocking an open interest of 28,240 lots.