Pulses, spices futures stay firm on NCDEX

MARKET ROUND-UP

Agri futures closed firmer on the first trading day of the week on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX).

While pulses segment continued its upward rally, spices remained equally bullish. Though lifting of the ban on sugar exports did not fuel prices, it acted as a market support.

Chana contract for February delivery closed at Rs 2,224 a quintal, up 1.51 per cent from the last week's close of Rs 2,191. Similarly, urad desi and masoor closed the day in green at Rs 2,854 and Rs 1,949 a quintal respectively.

Last week, urad had closed at Rs 2,825 whereas masoor was at Rs 1,900 a quintal.

Only tur did not change and remained at the level of previous close of Rs 2,132, though it touched the intra-day high of Rs 2,165 but declined by the end of the trading session.

Chilli, cumin seeds and pepper today closed higher. Turmeric remained more or less at the same level. Cumin seed February contract firmed up by Rs 96 to end the day at Rs 9,105.

Pepper crossed Rs 11,400 mark and closed at Rs 11,409, up Rs 70 a quintal. Chilli's near-month contract (March) was up Rs 12 to close at Rs 4,277 a quintal.

Sugar could not cross Rs 1,600 a quintal, but edged closer and closed the day at Rs 1,591, up Rs 22. However, demand remained muted in the wake of stock surplus in the country.