Dry fruits: Almond and cashew prices continued to decline in the wholesale dry fruits market during the week under review on fall in demand amid adequate stocks.
Increased arrivals from producing belts also put pressure on the prices.
Sentiments turned bearish following fall in demand from from local traders and stockists due to off-season. Almond california prices fell by Rs 150 to conclude at Rs 9,600 per 40 kg while its kernel traded lower by Rs 5 at Rs 330-340 per kg.
Cashew kernel (No 180, 210, 240 and 320) prices fell by Rs 5 each to settled at Rs 620-630, Rs 575-580, Rs 510-515 and Rs 435-455 per kg, respectively, on subdued demand.
Pistachio hairati and peshawari prices fell by up to Rs 10 to close at Rs 1,000-1,050 and Rs 1,225-1,275 per kg, respectively.
Kirana: Firm conditions continued to prevail in the wholesale kirana market in the national capital during the week under review. Black pepper and jeera lead the rally on emergence of brisk buying by stockists and retailers and registered sharp gains.
Besides, restricted arrivals from growing regions also supported the uptrend in spices prices. Traders said activity picked-up on the back of rise in domestic and export demand, triggering buying by stockists.
They said firming trend at the futures market was another positive factor behind rise in the prices.
Black pepper prices jumped to Rs 28,200-28,500 from previous week's close of Rs 27,200-27,500 per quintal following rising domestic and export demand against low stocks.
Chirounji prices surged by Rs 20 to Rs 470-520 per kg. Dry mango and dry ginger prices rose by Rs 500 each to settled at Rs 9,500-11,500 and Rs 17,500-22,500 per quintal, respectively. Kalaunji prices traded higher at Rs 9,500-10,500 per quintal.
Mace-red and yellow prices increased by up to Rs 150 to conclude at Rs 1,900-2,150 and Rs 1,700-1,800 per kg, respectively. Nutmeg prices increased by Rs 15 to close at Rs 730-775 per kg.
Red chilli and turmeric prices surged up to Rs 700 to settle at Rs 10,000-14,500 and Rs 11,800-16,500 per quintal, respectively, on firm advices from futures market. Jeera common and jeera best quality also surged by Rs 100 per quintal each to conclude at Rs 15,100-15,200 and Rs 17,100-17,200 per quintal, respectively.
Bullion: Gold crossing the psychological level of Rs 23,000 per 10 gram for the first time was the feature of trading in the bullion market during the past week.
The yellow metal rose on speculative buying, driven by a rally in overseas markets, and retailers buying for approaching 'Akshya Tritya' festival.
Gold recorded a handsome gain of Rs 855 to hit a record high of Rs 23,175 per 10 grams on rising global trend after US Fed maintained the interest rate at zero to 0.25%, raising demand for the metal as alternate investment.
The gold in global markets, which sets the price trend on the domestic front, climbed to an all-time high of $1,570.60 an ounce on weakening dollar and inflation concerns.
The retail customers buying for upcoming 'Akshya Tritiya' festival, a traditional day for making new purchases of gold along with the approaching marriage season also supported the uptrend to some extent.
However, silver lacked necessary follow up support on reduced offtake at higher levels and declined.
On the domestic front, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity spurted by Rs 855 each to all-time peak levels of Rs 23,175 and Rs 23,055 per 10 grams, respectively.
Sovereign followed suit and flared up by Rs 400 to new peak level of Rs 18,500 per piece of eight gram. On the other hand, silver ready lacked necessary follow up support at existing higher levels and fell by Rs 500 to Rs 71,500, after touching a record high of Rs 74,300 per kg.
The silver weekly-based delivery lost Rs 40 to Rs 70,600 per kg.
Silver coins also dropped by Rs 1,000 to Rs 77,000 for buying and Rs 78,000 for selling of 100 pieces, after a touching record high of Rs 80,500 and 81,500 for buying and selling, respectively.
