Barley up on robust demand from beer makers

Barley prices remained in keen demand for the second consecutive day by adding another gains of Rs 7 to Rs 1,444 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators indulged in expanding their bets, supported by firm physical markets trend.

Market players said, investors were raising holdings consistently motivated by firmness in its prices at the spot markets on the back of strong demand for beer makers due to rising mercury, powered by tight stock positions, which kept the barley futures prices in green.

At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange counter, barley delivery for May enquired higher by Rs 7 or 0.49 per cent to Rs 1,444 per quintal, open interest stood of 5,610 lots.

Meanwhile, most traded June inched up by 0.50 paise or 0.03 per cent to Rs 1,455 per quintal, depicting an open interest of 13,750 lots.