Consequently, rajmash chitra, on the local market climbed up by Rs 50 at Rs 2300-2700 a quintal as arrival from Maharashtra remained poor. Masoor edged up by Rs 15 a quintal on firm MP advices.

Demand in wheat from despatchers remained poor and prices held steady and arrival was reported around 12,000 bags.

Though paddy crop was hit hard due to untimely rains, yet rice permal slipped by Rs 10 a quintal due to lack of buying from exporters. Kabligram dipped by Rs 20 a quintal as inflow from Australia is expected shortly.

Among coarse grains, on profit-taking selling by the stockists, maize slipped by Rs 10 a quintal while bajra edged up by Rs 15-20 at Rs 405-430 a quintal because of untimely rains.

Edible oils firm

On reports of loss to groundnut, sesame, sunflower,soyabean and cottonseed etc. oilseeds in western and southern India due to untimely rains, edible oils prices revealed a firm tendency. Mustard laha firmed up by Rs 25-50 at Rs 1950-2225 a quintal and its oil expeller shot up by Rs 150 at Rs 5650 a quintal.

Vanaspati prices in U.P. edged up by Rs 15 at Rs 815-820 a tin amidst tight supply position coupled with strong demand. According to Dvota, consumers should purchase edible oils on bill. Cottonseed oil moved up by Rs 20 at Rs 4400 a quintal because of unfavourable weather conditions.

Gur moves up

Business in mill delivery sugar remained normal as festive demand was almost over. Deals in mill delivery sugar Mawana were settled at Rs 1510, Bagpat at Rs 1382, Simbhauli at Rs 1440, Tax-paid Jagadhari and Dhampur at Rs 1550-1557 and Rs 1492 a quintal respectively. Arrival of gur was hit hard because of rains, consequently, gur prices firmed up by Rs 50-75 at Rs 1300-1350 a quintal. Arrival of gur in Muzaffarnagar mandi remained negligible and gurChaku of cold storage there ruled firm at Rs 450-480 per mound.

Dry ginger flares up

Quality dry ginger, at the local market flared up by Rs 500 at Rs 10,000 a quintal on encouraging Cochin advices as crop in Kerala is likely to suffer a setback because of continuous rains for about a week. Nutmeg and mace slipped by Rs 5 a kg. due to weak demand at higher rates.

Among dry fruits, copra, slumped by Rs 100 a quintal because of buyers resistance at higher level and roasted chilogza eased by Rs 10 a kg.

Gold steady

Silver, at the local bullion market suffered losses while gold held steady on Saturday.

Though New York silver future showed signs of improvement at 497 cents an ounce, but on inflow of about 10,000 kgs. imported silver on Friday coupled with slack demand from industrial consumers, spot silver .999 fineness slumped by Rs 65 at Rs 7385 a kg. Silver coins, on firm Jaipur advices, held steady at Rs 11200-11300 per 100 pieces. Diwali 10 gram silver idol pujan coin was selling atRs 76.

On steady overseas advices coupled with slack demand, gold biscuit and standard mint gold including gold sovereign held steady at their previous close of Rs 4390 and Rs 4400 per 10 gram and Rs 3750-3800 per 8 gram respectively.

Mumbai: Both the precious metals extended gains on the backs of festival demand on the bullion market here today.

Silver .999 climbed up by Rs 25 to Rs 7,450 per kg. and silver .916 rose by Rs 30 to Rs 7,335 per kg in sympathy.

Industrial and seasonal buying continued,while eased supplies and firm overseas advices kept offerings limited. Delhi was bullish,while in the international market,the white metal looked up at $4.96/4.97 per an ounce.Standard gold ruled steady at Rs 4,360 and gold .22 carat at Rs 4,035 per 10 gm. respectively. Prices of gold biscuit (116.50 gm.),however,closed Rs 50 higher at Rs 51,300 per piece. Festival demand for gold continued,while firm global advices kept prices upward. In the overseas market,gold placed at $300.50/301 per anounce.

Jute goods plummets

B. Twill and hessians prices in Calcutta slumped by Rs 200-400 at Rs 20500-21500 and Rs 26800-27500 a tonne respectively, consequently, Harapatta bardana and B.Twill (2 & 2, lbs), on the local market plummeted by Rs 25-50 at Rs 1800,Rs 2000 and Rs 2225 per 100 sacks respectively.

Similarly, on weak Calcutta advices, twines (3x14 and 28lbs) was down by Rs 50 at Rs 1900-1950 a quintal and hessians, as per size, slipped by Rs 5-10 per 91.4 metres while old gunny bags prices remained unchanged.

Cotton yarn subdued

Demand in yarn from local as well as upcountry handloom and powerloom units remained dull because of rainy weather conditions, consequently, most of the yarn counts in hank, cone and hosiery yarn remained subdued at their previous close.

Ammonia bicarb slips

Ammonia bicarb slipped by Rs 5 per 25 kgs. as festive demand from bakers was almost over and menthol flake dipped by Rs 8 at Rs 366 a kg. due to lack of enquiries. Demand in mentholbold, mentha oil, thymol, DMO etc. remained sluggish.

Lead easy

On imports of about 100 tonnes lead from China coupled with slack demand from the consuming industries, imported lead prices slipped by Rs 1.50-3 at Rs 41-45 a kg.

Lead ingot desi soft and hard also eased by 50 paise a kg. Similarly, tin solder (40%) dipped by Rs 2 at Rs 150 a kg. on selling pressure of imported goods while zinc slab looked up by 25 paise a kg. because of mutual buying and selling among the stockists. Business in other metals remained sluggish.