We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry. current time
India’s Kharif crop coverage trails last year by nearly 2%
India’s total Kharif sowing area reached 967.92 lakh hectares as of August 7, 2026, according to the latest agriculture data. This is 17.96 lakh hectares lower than the 985.89 lakh hectares covered during the same period last year, marking a decline of 1.82%.
The slower pace of sowing across several important crops could keep agricultural commodity prices firm, as lower acreage may raise concerns about production. Rice, pulses, maize, coarse cereals and cotton have all recorded lower coverage compared with last year. However, the improvement in oilseed planting is providing some relief to the overall supply outlook.
Rice acreage stood at 344.78 lakh hectares, down 15.90 lakh hectares, or 4.41%, from a year earlier. The decline in rice coverage remains an important factor for the market, particularly if weather conditions affect crop development later in the season.
Pulses have also seen weaker sowing. Total pulses acreage fell by 1.95 lakh hectares, or 1.84%, to 103.78 lakh hectares. Tur and moong were among the crops that recorded lower acreage compared with last year.
The area under Shree Anna and other coarse cereals declined by 4.71 lakh hectares, or 2.72%, to 168.50 lakh hectares. Maize sowing was down 3.84%, while bajra and ragi also remained below last year’s levels.
Oilseeds have shown a different trend. Total oilseed acreage increased by 5.19 lakh hectares, or 2.97%, to 180.20 lakh hectares. Groundnut sowing rose 8.61%, while sesamum acreage increased 16.94%. Sunflower recorded the strongest growth, with acreage jumping 72.91%.
Soybean, which accounts for a major share of India’s oilseed production, also registered a marginal increase. Sowing reached 119.92 lakh hectares, up 0.22% from last year.
The overall crop picture remains mixed. Lower planting of major food crops could provide support to agricultural commodity prices because of possible production concerns. This risk could become more important if rainfall or other weather conditions become less favourable during the remaining crop growth period.
At the same time, the increase in oilseed acreage may help improve the supply outlook for edible oils and reduce some concerns in the oilseed market.
With the Kharif season still progressing, traders and farmers will closely monitor crop conditions, rainfall and further sowing developments. For now, the gap in overall acreage compared with last year remains a factor supporting prices, while stronger oilseed planting is helping balance the market outlook.
