Mandi Bhav Explained: Minimum, Maximum and Modal Price
Mandi bhav means the rate at which a crop is traded in a market yard (mandi) on a given day, quoted in rupees per quintal (100 kg). Every mandi price list shows a minimum, a maximum and a modal price.
- Minimum price: lowest trade of the day in that market.
- Maximum price: highest trade of the day.
- Modal price: the price at which most trades happened — the best benchmark to plan a sale.
हिंदी सारांश: मंडी भाव किसी मंडी में उस दिन फसल का सौदा भाव है, जो ₹ प्रति क्विंटल में बताया जाता है। मॉडल भाव वह है जिस पर सबसे ज़्यादा सौदे हुए।
Minimum, maximum and modal price
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Minimum price | Lowest rate recorded for the crop in that mandi that day |
| Maximum price | Highest rate recorded that day |
| Modal price | Most frequent trade rate that day |
Why prices differ between mandis
Quality and variety, arrivals, transport costs, local demand and the day of reporting all affect the rate. Always compare the same crop and variety.
Where do the prices on The Harvest come from?
We show prices reported by mandis to the Government of India’s Agmarknet portal and published as open data on data.gov.in. We do not change the figures. See Data sources & methodology. Check live rates now on Mandi Bhav Today.
Mandi price vs MSP
MSP is the government’s announced support price; the mandi price is what the market pays. See MSP full form and the MSP calculator.
A worked example of reading mandi bhav
Suppose a wheat list for one mandi shows a minimum of ₹2,350, a maximum of ₹2,700 and a modal price of ₹2,550 per quintal. The gap between ₹2,350 and ₹2,700 reflects differences in quality, moisture and variety. The modal price of ₹2,550 tells you where most trades happened. If you hold clean, dry wheat, you can reasonably expect to be near or above the modal price; if your grain is damp or mixed, you may fall nearer the minimum. These numbers are an illustration, not a live rate. For real rates, see wheat rate today and Mandi Bhav Today.
Quintal, kilogram and tonne: converting mandi bhav
| Quoted price | Per kg | Per tonne |
|---|---|---|
| ₹2,550 per quintal | ₹25.50 | ₹25,500 |
| ₹5,708 per quintal | ₹57.08 | ₹57,080 |
| ₹100 per quintal | ₹1.00 | ₹1,000 |
One quintal equals 100 kg and one tonne equals 10 quintals. Mandi prices are quoted per quintal for most crops; always check the unit on the page, because a few commodities use other units.
What moves mandi bhav
- Arrivals: A glut after harvest pushes prices down; thin arrivals push them up.
- Quality and moisture: Better grain earns the maximum price. Wet or damaged grain is discounted.
- Weather: Rain, heat and frost change supply and quality.
- Government policy: MSP procurement, stock limits and export rules shape demand.
- Transport and fuel costs: They decide how far trade can profitably travel.
- Festival and seasonal demand: Demand rises before festivals and weddings.
How to compare mandis properly
- Pick the same crop and the same variety or grade.
- Use the modal price, not just the maximum.
- Check the date and the number of arrivals.
- Subtract transport, loading, commission and market fee to get the price you actually keep.
- Look at the trend over several days, not a single day.
Mandi bhav versus MSP
| Point | Mandi bhav | MSP |
|---|---|---|
| Set by | Daily trade | Government, once per season |
| Use | Decide when and where to sell | Safety net through procurement |
| Example | Modal price on the day | Wheat ₹2,610 for Rabi 2027-28 |
Compare them with the MSP calculator and see the latest lists in Rabi MSP 2027-28 and Kharif MSP 2026-27. Understand the basics in MSP full form.
Common mistakes when reading mandi bhav
- Treating the maximum price as the price you will get.
- Comparing different varieties or units.
- Selling on one day’s spike without checking arrivals.
- Ignoring the cost of reaching a distant mandi.
- Trusting unsourced rate messages on social apps.
The prices on our site come from the Government of India’s open data; see data sources and methodology.
Mandi bhav glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| APMC / mandi | The regulated market yard where produce is traded |
| Arrivals | Quantity of produce brought to the market that day |
| Variety and grade | The type and quality class of the crop, which affect the price |
| FAQ quality | “Fair average quality”, the standard grade used as a baseline in some markets |
| Commission agent (arhtiya) | A licensed intermediary who handles sale and payment in many mandis |
| Market fee | A charge levied on trade, set by the state |
| Modal price | The price at which most trades happened |
Knowing these terms helps you read a price list without being misled, and helps you ask the right questions when you negotiate. Always confirm who pays the commission and fees before the sale, and keep the weighment slip and sale receipt. A good habit is to record the rate you were offered, the rate you got and the date, so that you can compare mandis over a season.
Frequently asked questions
What is modal price in mandi bhav?
The modal price is the rate at which the largest number of trades happened in a mandi on that day.
In which unit are mandi prices quoted?
Mandi prices are normally quoted in rupees per quintal; one quintal equals 100 kg.
Why is my local mandi missing from the list?
Only mandis that reported prices to Agmarknet for that day appear in the data.
What is the difference between mandi bhav and retail price?
Mandi bhav is the wholesale price per quintal in a market yard. Retail prices add transport, storage, handling and the shopkeeper’s margin.
Which price should I use to decide when to sell?
Use the modal price along with arrivals and the recent trend, and subtract transport and commission. The maximum price is only the best trade of the day.
Why do prices differ between two mandis on the same day?
Different quality, variety, arrivals, local demand and costs. Always compare the same crop and variety.
How do I convert a quintal price to a per-kg price?
Divide by 100. A price of ₹2,550 per quintal is ₹25.50 per kg.
Where does the data on The Harvest come from?
From prices reported by mandis to the Government of India’s Agmarknet portal and published on data.gov.in, shown without changes.
Related tools: MSP calculator · Mandi bhav today · Crop calendar
We summarise official government announcements and data for farmers. This article follows our editorial policy; spotted an error? See our corrections policy. The Harvest is an independent website and is not affiliated with any government body — see the disclaimer.
