Makhana Wholesale Price in Bihar 2026: Grade-Wise Mandi Rates
Bihar grows nearly all of India's makhana, so Bihar's mandi rates set the floor for wholesale prices across the country. This page tracks grade-wise mandi rates for 2026, explains the sharp September to October 2026 price correction, and shows how mandi prices translate to Delhi wholesale rates. All prices below are indicative October 2026 bands and are refreshed monthly.
Grade-wise mandi rate table (Bihar, indicative Oct-2026)
| Grade | Size | Mandi rate (Rs./kg) | Delhi wholesale (Rs./kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 sutta | ~10 mm | 450 - 600 | 550 - 700 |
| 4 sutta | ~12 - 14 mm | 650 - 850 | 700 - 950 |
| 5 sutta | ~14 - 16 mm | 850 - 1,050 | 950 - 1,150 |
| 6 sutta | ~16 - 20 mm | 1,100 - 1,400 | 1,200 - 1,500 |
| 7 sutta | ~20 - 26 mm | 1,400 - 1,800 | 1,500 - 1,900 |
Indicative October 2026. Mandi rates are ex-mandi for graded lots; Delhi rates include freight, handling and trader margin. Confirm the day's rate before ordering.
The September to October 2026 price correction
Makhana prices fell sharply in September and October 2026. Producing-market lots that traded near Rs. 1,050 per kg early in the season dropped to roughly Rs. 530 to 565 per kg after a bumper Bihar crop increased arrivals. Delhi wholesale for mid grades settled into the Rs. 700 to 1,250 per kg band depending on grade.
What this means for buyers:
- It is a buyer's market right now. Fresh crop arrivals and full mandis favour buyers negotiating grade-wise lots.
- Do not anchor to old prices. Quotes based on pre-September rates are stale; insist on current mandi-linked pricing.
- Lock grades, not just prices. In a falling market some sellers push mixed lots at single-grade prices. Confirm whole-kernel percentage and take a 100 g sample.
- Traders should stay lean. Buying heavy inventory into a correction locks in losses if prices slip further.
Mandi vs Delhi: understanding the price gap
The gap between a Bihar mandi rate and the Delhi wholesale rate is usually Rs. 100 to 200 per kg for mid grades. It covers:
- Freight from Bihar to Delhi and local cartage: Rs. 15 to 30 per kg.
- Re-grading, sorting and repacking: Rs. 20 to 40 per kg.
- Storage, handling and breakage: Rs. 10 to 20 per kg.
- Trader margin and credit cost: the remainder.
If a Delhi quote sits far above the mandi band plus this gap, get a second quote. If it sits below the mandi rate, check the grade carefully.
Key mandis and what they are known for
- Purnia: the largest trading hub; best for volume buying across grades.
- Darbhanga: strong processor presence; good for graded, ready-to-dispatch lots.
- Madhubani: the heart of the GI-tagged Mithila makhana belt; premium origin lots.
- Katihar: processing hub with competitive rates on mid grades.
- Supaul and Saharsa: source-area mandis; keenest prices for buyers who can handle logistics.
How mandi rates are discovered
Mandi rates are not published by any single authority; they emerge each morning from actual trades. Commission agents in Purnia and Darbhanga open the day with an indicative band based on overnight arrivals, and the band firms up as processors and wholesalers bid for graded lots. Three factors move the band most: the volume of fresh arrivals that week, the moisture and popping quality of the new crop, and festival-season demand from packers stocking up for Diwali and wedding season.
Because discovery is trade-based, two buyers can hear slightly different numbers on the same day. The practical approach is to collect quotes from two independent sources, one agent and one processor, and treat the overlap as the real band. Any quote sitting well outside it needs an explanation: either a genuinely superior lot or a grade being misrepresented.
Festival season and the annual price rhythm
Makhana demand peaks from September to December, when packers build inventory for Diwali gifting and the wedding season. Prices typically firm up in this window even in good crop years, because retail brands compete for 4 and 5 sutta packing grades. The lean months of March to June usually offer the softest prices, which is when experienced traders build inventory for the festival run-up. The 2026 correction was unusual because the bumper crop overwhelmed even festival demand, keeping prices soft into October. Watching this annual rhythm, and buying counter-seasonally when cash flow allows, is one of the simplest edges in the trade.
How to use this page
Check the table before every purchase, compare your supplier's quote against the band for your grade, and ask for the rate to be linked to the mandi for repeat orders. We update these bands monthly; for today's exact rate, message us on WhatsApp and we will share the current mandi quote for your grade and quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the makhana wholesale price in Bihar today?
Indicative October 2026 mandi bands: 3 sutta Rs. 450 to 600, 4 sutta Rs. 650 to 850, 5 sutta Rs. 850 to 1,050, 6 sutta Rs. 1,100 to 1,400, and 7 sutta Rs. 1,400 to 1,800 per kg. Rates move with arrivals, so confirm the day's quote before ordering.
Why did makhana prices fall in 2026?
A bumper Bihar crop in September to October 2026 sharply increased mandi arrivals, and producing-market rates fell from around Rs. 1,050 to roughly Rs. 530 to 565 per kg. Delhi wholesale for mid grades settled into the Rs. 700 to 1,250 band.
What is the price difference between Bihar mandi and Delhi wholesale?
Usually Rs. 100 to 200 per kg for mid grades, covering freight, re-grading, storage, breakage and trader margin. Quotes far outside this gap deserve a second check on grade or pricing.
Which is the biggest makhana mandi in Bihar?
Purnia is the largest trading hub and best for volume buying. Darbhanga and Katihar are strong on processing, Madhubani anchors the GI-tagged Mithila belt, and Supaul and Saharsa offer keen source-area prices.
How often do makhana wholesale prices change?
Mandi rates move with seasonal arrivals, crop size and festival demand, and in volatile phases like the 2026 correction they can shift week to week. Serious buyers track rates at least monthly, confirm the day's quote before placing any order, and link repeat-order pricing to the mandi band rather than a fixed number.
Related guides
- Makhana Grades Explained: The Sutta Size Chart (3 to 7 Suta)
- How to Start a Makhana Business in India: Investment, Margins & Models
- Makhana Business Profit Margin: Wholesale vs Retail (2026)
Get today's wholesale price
Grades 3–7 sutta · MOQ 25 kg per grade · pan-India dispatch.