Barley futures fall on subdued demand

Barley prices tumbled by Rs 31.50 to Rs 1,588 per quintal in futures trade today as traders preferred to offload their holdings, tracking a weak trend in physical markets.
At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, barley for the most-active delivery in January contracts dipped by Rs 31.50, or 1.95 per cent, to Rs 1,588 per quintal, clocking an open interest of 2,200 lots.
Also, delivery for this month contracts eased by Rs 21.50, or 1.31 per cent, to Rs 1,615 per quintal, having an open interest of 600 lots.
Marketmen said sluggish demand from consuming industries in the spot markets and higher supplies from growing regions, mainly weighed on barley prices in futures trade.