Barley prices improved by Rs 15.60 or 1.46 per cent to Rs 1,085 per quintal in futures trade today following short covering by traders.
Marketmen said covering of short positions done in the recent past pushed up the prices.
Rising demand and restricted supply in physical markets also helped the trading sentiment to boost barley futures prices, they added.
At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange counter, barley prices for July-month contract improved by Rs 15.60 or 1.46 per cent to Rs 1,085 per quintal, with an open interest of 3,200 lots.
Current May-month contract delivery went up by Rs 4.40 or 0.42 per cent to Rs 1,045 per quintal, having an open interest of 1,050 lots.
While June-month contract gained Rs 9.60 or 0.90 per cent to Rs 1,072 per quintal, with an open interest of 14,380.