India’s Kharif Sowing Pace Slips Despite Overall Acreage Rise
India’s kharif sowing slowed as of July 18 due to heavy rains, covering only 65% of the normal area. While overall acreage rose 4% year-on-year, weekly progress dropped. Gains were seen in paddy and maize, but soybean and cotton sowing declined. Uneven rainfall disrupted planting, raising near-term price concerns for key crops like tur and soybean.
Kedia Advisory – India’s kharif sowing has slowed down with only 65% of the normal area covered by July 18, as heavy rainfall in key regions delayed planting. While total acreage is 4% higher year-on-year at 708.31 lakh hectares, weekly progress fell sharply from early July levels. Paddy, pulses, and coarse cereals have seen acreage gains, driven by higher maize and moong coverage, but oilseeds and cotton lag behind. Soybean and cotton sowing dropped over 6% and 3% respectively, raising price concerns. The IMD reported 7% surplus monsoon rains but uneven distribution affected progress. Tur, cotton, and soybean crops remain under close watch.
Key Highlights:
India’s kharif sowing pace drops sharply amid heavy rainfall delays.Total sown area stands 4% higher than last year at 708.31 lakh hectares.Paddy and maize acreage rise, while soybean and cotton sowing shrink.IMD reports surplus monsoon but with uneven regional rainfall distribution.Tur, cotton, and soybean seen as crops to watch for price movements.
India’s kharif sowing progress has slowed sharply as of July 18, even as overall acreage remains higher than last year, indicating mixed signals for commodity prices ahead. While farmers have covered 65% of the normal area, the weekly sowing pace dipped to 110 lakh hectares, down from 160 lakh hectares a week earlier.
On the price front, higher paddy and maize acreage is likely to keep cereal prices under check, while supply concerns in soybean and cotton could lend support to prices in the near term. Paddy area rose 12.4% to 176.68 lakh hectares, pulses saw a modest 2.3% rise, and nutri/coarse cereals increased by 13.6%—mainly driven by a robust 15.4% jump in maize acreage, suggesting farmers’ optimism for better prices.
However, oilseeds acreage dropped 3.7% with soybean sowing slipping 6.1% to 111.67 lakh hectares, raising supply risks and potential price firming if rainfall remains erratic. Cotton acreage fell 3.4% to 98.55 lakh hectares, which could keep cotton prices supported in the short term amid demand from textile mills.
The India Meteorological Department reported 7% surplus rainfall overall, but distribution was skewed. Eastern and north-eastern regions faced deficits, while central and north-western belts recorded 24–30% excess rainfall, affecting the sowing window differently across states.
With sugarcane sowing unchanged and jute acreage slightly lower, the focus remains on pulses like tur and urad, where acreage is trailing, supporting the outlook for firm prices if yield concerns persist.
In conclusion, the coming weeks will be crucial as rainfall patterns and crop acreage adjustments shape price trends for key kharif commodities.
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Source : Investing.com
