At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, barley for delivery in January next year improved by Rs 23, or 1.66 per cent, to Rs 1,408.50 per quintal, with an open interest of 6,240 lots.
On similar lines, delivery in far-month April rose by Rs 23 or 1.73 per cent to Rs 1,355 per quintal, having an open interest of 980 lots.
Market players said apart from rising spot demand at the physical markets, tight supplies also drove upside in barley prices at futures trade.