Govt buys keep wheat prices stable in key spot markets.

Wheat prices in major wholesale markets across the country were stable despite high arrivals, as government procurement restricted any fall. Mill-quality wheat was being sold unchanged from previous close. A total of 20,000-30,000 bags (1bag=100kg) of wheat arrive in Punjab daily and arrivals are likely to double by the end of April. Wheat prices were unchanged in other major markets of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Prices of the grain fell by 20-30 rupees in Delhi market due to high arrivals from Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. As of Tuesday, the government had procured 11.9 million tonne wheat for the current marketing year that started April, 13.7% higher than in the year-ago period. The May wheat contract on the NCDEX ended at 1,650 rupees per 100 kg, up 0.4% from previous close.