Chana prices down in Delhi, Bikaner on low demand.

Prices of chana were down in Delhi on subdued demand despite ongoing festive season. Expectations of higher sowing this season amid lower demand is seen creating bearish sentiments. Tracking the trend in the spot market, chana futures on the NCDEX hit the 3% lower circuit.

India sugar industry overestimated October output.

India sugar output in October is likely to achieve only 40 per cent of the earlier assured quantity. Most mills in UP are now looking to start the crushing season by the last week of October, anticipating a labour shortage ahead of Diwali. With bumper cane availability, the UP government estimates a 10 per cent rise in output this season at 10 million tonnes (mt), a fourth of India’s overall sugar production estimate of 25.1 mt for October 2017-September 2018. Sugar mills in Maharashtra are planning to start the new season from November 1. The delay was aimed to avoid problems in harvesting of cane due to heavy rainfall in September which left fields muddy. Also, actual maturing of cane takes place in October and November.

India Sugar up in most spot markets as demand rises ahead of Diwali.

Prices of sugar rose in most key wholesale markets of the country due to higher demand ahead of the festival of Diwali. Sugar prices rose in Mumbai as well, as transportation charges have increased due to lack of vehicles. Traders are bullish on sugar prices in the near term due to expectations of further rise in demand from bulk buyers such as sweets makers ahead of Diwali, which celebrated on Oct 19 this year.

NCDEX soybean down for 5th day on new crop arrivals.

Soybean contracts on the NCDEX declined for the fifth consecutive trading day, as spot prices fell due to a pick-up in arrivals of the new crop. Arrivals of the new crop in spot markets of Madhya Pradesh pegged at 100,000-125,000 bags (1 bag = 100 kg), up from 90,000 bags on oct 04.

CBOT soybean up as rains delay harvest in US.

Futures contracts of soybean rose on the CBOT due to delay in harvest in the US following heavy rainfall in the Midwest which is the a key soybean-growing region. Prices up for the second day also because investors continued to cover short positions after contracts hit a three-week low.