Groundnut oil fell by Rs 3 to Rs 404 per 10 kg on demand resistance while higher summer crop supplies and setback in upcountry centres were mainly attributed to the slide which in turn prompted unloding among local stockists and millers. In Rajkot prices quoted lower from Rs 620/625 to Rs 614/615 per 15 kg.

Imported palm oil reacted by Rs 4 to Rs 295 per 10 kg exclusive of tax on steady inflow at Mumbai port while upcountry buying was petered out after rally recorded earlier in the week. Market undercurrent was weak as traders were expecting more vessels at Mumbai port during next week.

Castor oil finished a rupee lower at Rs 348/362 per 10 kg. Castorseed ready was down by Rs 5 to Rs 1568/1574 per quintal.

In the futures section castorseed June delivery nosedived from Rs 1592 to Rs 1573 per quintal aslosses in the upcountry centres triggered panic selling among bull operators, floor sources said.

In Ahmedabad June delivery quoted lower at Rs 1523 per quintal and in Rajkot it was placed at Rs 1523 per quintal. In Gujarat castorseed ready delivery slid to Rs 301/302 per 20 kg while castor oil ruled easy at Rs 329/330 per 10 kg.

Bullion gains
Gold and silver prices extended gains on the bullion market here today. Standard gold closed Rs 10 higher at Rs 4,420 per 10 gm. Gold .22 carat was up by same margin at Rs 4,090 per 10 gm.

Stray seasonal buying influenced the recovery in the prices while tight supplies kept offerings restricted. Prices of gold biscuit (116.50 gm.) however ruled steady at Rs 51,800 per piece on nominal trading.

Due to uncertain political situation the supply of imported precious metals was thin,it was reported. Meanwhile in the global market gold slid from $283.90 to $283.55 per ounce.

Silver.999 looked up by Rs 5 to Rs 7,905 per kg. Silver .916 was up by same marginat Rs 7,780 per kg. Industrial demand was slow while shortage of ready stock kept silver firm amidst stray speculative buying. The volume of trading was hardly 75/100 kg while supplies remained negligible. In the overseas market the white metal closed 3 cents lower at $5.16 per ounce.

Delhi
Black pepper golden, at the local market dipped from Rs 182-195 to Rs 178-182 a kg due to slack demand from exporters. Attam quality black pepper slipped by Rs 2-3 a kg. As against this, mace firmed up by Rs 5-10 a kg amidst tight supply positon. On inflow of about 15,000 bags of new betelnut from Colombo, indigenous betelnut prices slipped by Rs 3-6 at Rs 150-172 per kg.

Unseeded tamarind flared up by Rs 100 at Rs 3000 a quintal on holding of stock by the stockists.Among dry fruits, kishmish Sangli slided down by Rs 200 at Rs 3200-3600 per 40 kg as Nasik kishmish was selling at Rs 2600-3000 per 40 kg. Cashew kernel slipped by Rs 5-10 at Rs 440-490 a kg due to poor offtake. Almond California and its kernel,pistachio Irani and Dody revealed an easy tendency.