Topic
kharif
Commodities Uneven spread of Indian monsoon raises concern over kharif crop prospects
As of July 31, India's South-West monsoon was 13% deficient despite above-normal July rain, and the India Meteorological Department has predicted below-normal rainfall in August. Sixteen states reported deficient rain, kharif acreage lagged year-ago levels by 5%, and Maharashtra farmers are considering short-duration nutri-cereal crops.
Commodities Lower maize acreage and sugar stock uncertainty shift focus to rice for ethanol in India
With maize acreage in top five producing states falling over 13% and sugar stocks expected very low at season end, India's ethanol blending programme is likely to depend more on rice. The government's target of 20% ethanol blending requires about 1,100 crore litres, and reduced broken-rice share in official stocks could boost feedstock availability. Fresh kharif arrivals are expected to strengthen supply.
Commodities India's 2026-27 pulses crop hinges on August-September rains, says IPGA chairman
India's 2026-27 kharif pulses crop size will depend on August-September rainfall rather than area sown, according to IPGA chairman Bimal Kothari. Sowing has picked up but overall acreage trails last year, with tur (pigeon pea) area down. Below-normal rains forecast could affect crop maturity, but current supply is abundant and prices are below MSP. Kothari warns that deficient rains could impact the rabi crop in 2027.
Commodities India's Kharif Sowing Deficit Narrows to Under 5% as 71% of Normal Area Covered
Indian farmers have narrowed the Kharif sowing deficit to less than 5% by July 24, covering 787.38 lakh hectares (71% of normal). While paddy, pulses, and oilseeds still trail last year's pace, the deficit has reduced sharply from 21% in early July. Agriculture scientists remain cautiously optimistic, though rainfall patterns in the next two months will be critical.
Commodities 10% Monsoon Deficit Hits Kharif Output: Government Warns of Production Decline Risks
The Indian government stated that kharif foodgrain production declines when the all-India monsoon rainfall deficiency exceeds about 10%, citing major drought/El Niño years. Meanwhile, cotton production has fallen due to diversification, while spices parks processed over 52,000 tonnes and e-NAM interstate trade surged.
Logistics Fertiliser Vessels Stranded at Indian Ports as Peak Kharif Sowing Season Faces Disruption
Port congestion at Kandla, Mundra, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) and Chennai has stranded multiple fertiliser-carrying vessels, delaying unloading and distribution during the critical kharif sowing season. The delays are exacerbated by rerouting due to geopolitical tensions, monsoon disruptions, and inland logistics bottlenecks. One vessel carrying 60,000 tonnes of DAP/NPK and another with 7,000 tonnes of urea have been awaiting berthing at Kandla since July 14.
Commodities Kharif Sowing Acreage Down 6% as Sowing Completes in 60% of Normal Area, Says Agriculture Ministry
India's kharif sowing acreage reached 531.25 lakh hectares as of July 17, down 6% from 632.69 lh a year ago, according to the Agriculture Ministry. The deficit narrowed from 21% in early July due to surplus monsoon rains. Paddy coverage is nearly on par, while pulses and oilseeds still lag. The government targets a foodgrain production of 176.16 mt for the season.
Commodities India's kharif sowing reaches 48% of normal area; paddy deficit narrows to 9%
As of July 10, India's kharif sowing covered 531.25 lakh hectares, 48% of the normal area and 16% lower year-on-year. Paddy transplanting deficit narrowed to 9% from 13% a week earlier, but pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals saw double-digit declines. Monsoon rainfall deficit stood at 19% for June 1-July 13, raising concerns for future sowing.
Manufacturing Kharif sowing drives Indian tractor sales past one lakh units in June 2026
India's tractor retail sales crossed the one-lakh-unit mark in June 2026, rising 25.3% year-on-year to 100,818 units, according to FADA. Mahindra & Mahindra, including its Swaraj brand, captured a combined 42.84% market share. Demand was boosted by kharif sowing preparations, improved farmer cash flow, and state subsidies in Odisha and Gujarat.
Commodities Monsoon recovery to support kharif sowing as rainfall activity improves: Report
India's monsoon rainfall has improved in recent weeks, with cumulative precipitation up to July 6 at 170.7 mm, 20% below the long period average. The recovery is expected to support kharif sowing, which stood at 35.1 million hectares as of July 5, down 20.8% year-on-year, according to an ICICI Bank report. Regional disparities persist, with East and Northeast India seeing a 41% deficit, while South India has 15% above normal.
Commodities India’s 163.65 LT Fertilizer Stock and Rising Production to Meet Kharif Demand, Says Government
As of July 2, 2026, India’s fertilizer stock stands at 163.65 lakh tonnes (LT), meeting 43% of the Kharif season demand of 383.9 LT. Domestic production exceeded targets for urea and DAP in Q1 FY27, while natural gas supply to urea plants has been fully restored after disruptions caused by the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The government has diversified import sources and 15 of 20 vessels carrying imported fertilizers have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
Commodities Gujarat’s Kharif Sowing Slows Sharply as 82% Rain Deficit Keeps Farmers Off Fields
Gujarat has experienced an 82% rainfall deficit, bringing kharif sowing to a crawl. By end-June, only 12.71 lakh hectares were sown, 62% lower than last year and just 15% of normal acreage. Major crops like groundnut, cotton, and soybean have seen sharp declines, though cereal sowing increased slightly.
Commodities Kharif Sowing Slumps 23% as Delayed Monsoon Hits India's Key Crops; Reservoir Storage at 26%
Kharif sowing in India has slumped 23% to 182.72 lakh hectares as of June 25, 2026, compared to 236.46 lakh hectares a year ago, due to a delayed and deficient southwest monsoon. Key reservoirs are at 26.37% of full capacity, with 29 reservoirs below 50% of normal storage. Paddy acreage fell 25.17%, pulses 30.47%, and oilseeds 53.33%, raising concerns for agricultural output.
Commodities India’s kharif acreage down 23% as deficient monsoon threatens crop output
India’s kharif sowing area has fallen 23% to 182.72 lakh hectares as of June 25, compared to 236.46 lakh hectares a year ago, driven by a 42% monsoon deficit. Sugarcane is the only major crop showing an increase, while paddy, cotton, soybean, and pulses report significant declines. The India Meteorological Department expects monsoon to advance into more regions in the coming days, but July rains will be critical for recovery.
Commodities India’s Kharif Sowing Tops 120 Lakh Hectares, Monsoon Deficiency Not Yet Impacting Acreage
India’s kharif sowing area reached 119.90 lakh hectares as of June 19, up 1.7% from a year ago, despite a 43% monsoon rainfall deficit. Cotton, soybean and urad acreage are lower, while paddy, pulses and coarse cereals show higher coverage. The India Meteorological Department forecasts monsoon advance into new regions by June 24.
Commodities Weak Monsoon Start Clouds Kharif Season Outlook, 360 ONE Capital Warns
India's southwest monsoon has begun the 2026 season with a significant rainfall deficit, 38% below normal as of June 17. Kharif sowing has fallen 3.9% year-on-year, with pulses and cotton hit hardest. Reservoir levels remain a healthy buffer, but close monitoring is needed as the critical July-August period approaches.
Commodities India's Foodgrain Reserves Hit Record 122 mt as El Nino Looms Over 2026 Kharif Crop
India's Central Pool foodgrain reserves hit a record 122.64 million tonnes as of June 1, 2026, sufficient to sustain welfare programmes for over two years. This buffer comes as El Nino threatens the 2026 kharif crop, with the government targeting 176.16 mt of foodgrain production despite a below-normal monsoon forecast.
Commodities Kharif Pulses Sowing Off to a Weak Start: Acreage Down 43% as of June 12
Kharif pulses sowing in India has started weakly with acreage down 43% as of June 12 due to a delayed and deficient monsoon. Tur acreage fell 57%, urad 22%, and moong 55% compared to last year. Farmers in key regions await rains, while the government holds buffer stocks of 4.3-4.5 million tonnes to keep prices in check.
Commodities El Nino to Severely Impact 9-10 Indian States; Chouhan Directs District-Level Kharif Contingency Plans
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday directed coordinated meetings with district officials in 9-10 states where El Nino impact is expected to be relatively severe during the Kharif season. The government is preparing contingency plans including water conservation, intercropping, and alternative crops, with emphasis on boosting cotton and pulses output.
Commodities No fertiliser shortage for kharif, rabi crops; govt prepared for El Nino, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan
India's agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has stated that there will be no fertiliser shortage for the upcoming kharif and rabi crop seasons. The government has also prepared for potential El Nino conditions. The announcement provides reassurance to the agricultural sector and related trade stakeholders.
Commodities Gujarat Kharif Sowing Boosted by Early Narmada Water Release
Gujarat's Kharif sowing season begins as the state government releases Narmada irrigation water early to aid farmers. With over 1.73 lakh hectares already sown, the move supports critical early crop growth.
Commodities India's Fertilizer Supply Challenges for Rabi Season
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