Akshaya Ponni paddy, one of the most sought-after varieties in the market, has touched an all-time high of Rs 37-42 per kilogram, while RNR and Sree varieties are being sold at around Rs 37-38 per kg.

M S Thanaraj

MADURAI: The prices of major paddy varieties, including RNR, have gone up as the Samba and late Samba cultivation seasons draw to a close. Akshaya Ponni paddy, one of the most sought-after varieties in the market, has touched an all-time high of Rs 37-42 per kilogram, while RNR and Sree varieties are being sold at around Rs 37-38 per kg.

The prices have increased with lower arrivals in the market. Paddy sales in the open market have entered the final phase with transactions being carried out in a staggered manner.

Market sources say the prices of fine and superfine rice varieties have gone beyond Rs 60-70 per kilogram in the retail market due to supply-demand mismatch.

Akshaya and Sree have witnessed a sharp increase due to rising demand.
P Kishore, rice mill owner and former president of the Madurai Rice Mill Owners Association, said the shortage of paddy availability is the primary reason behind the price escalation.

“Availability has been greatly affected, causing paddy prices to rise by more than 20 per cent compared to normal periods. Prices of by-products such as husk and bran have also increased by around 5 per cent, which has partially offset the impact of fuel price hikes. The major concern now is the availability of raw material, i.e., paddy,” he said.

A Anbarasan, Food Panel Chairperson of MADITSSIA, said Tamil Nadu continues to depend heavily on other states for fine variety paddy, particularly from Karnataka. “We are not self-sufficient in the production of a fine variety of paddy.

Nearly 70 per cent of our requirement is met through supplies from Karnataka. Poor rainfall and ongoing works in the Tungabhadra dam region have affected paddy cultivation there, resulting in increased demand and reduced availability,” he said.

He said Akshaya Ponni prices have increased from Rs 36 per kg to Rs 42 per kg, marking the highest level seen in recent years. However, he added that the situation could ease if the catchment areas receive adequate rainfall in the coming months.

Meanwhile, K Suresh Kumar of the Agri and All-Trade Chamber, said Tamil Nadu farmers largely cultivate bold varieties, forcing the state to depend on neighbouring states for fine varieties.

“The Chamber had earlier conducted awareness programmes among farmers to encourage the cultivation of high-demand varieties such as Akshaya. Several farmers have utilised the Chamber’s 22,000-tonne storage facility to preserve freshly harvested Akshaya paddy,” he said.

The Chamber has urged the state government to introduce measures to encourage more farmers to cultivate these varieties instead of conventional bold varieties. Such initiatives, it said, would reduce dependence on other states and help stabilise paddy supply and prices.

Published Date: June 23, 2026