Prices of aromatic and non-basmati rice remained range-bound in a dull market on Friday.

The market is range-bound but within negative territory, said Mr Tara Chand Sharma, a rice trader. The current levels of almost all rice varieties are below the levels that they were at during the corresponding period last year because of surplus stocks, he said.

Even as traders and millers hold huge stocks, agricultural experts expect a bumper production this year and that could drag prices further down, said Mr Sharma.

Pusa-1121 (steam) ruled flat and sold at Rs 4,950-5,150 a quintal, Pusa-1121 (sela) dropped marginally by Rs 20 and was at Rs 3,860, and Pusa-1121 (raw) ruled at Rs 4,340 a quintal, Rs 10 down.

Pure basmati varieties witnessed correction after an uptrend earlier this week. Pure basmati (Raw) decreased by Rs 35 and was ruling at Rs 5,945 a quintal while basmati (sela) quoted around Rs 3,970 a quintal, Rs 30 down.

Among the brokens of Pusa-1121, Tibar sold at Rs 3,100-3,370, Dubar ruled at Rs 2,600-2,660, and Mongra was trading at Rs 1,900-2,200 a quintal.

Sharbati (steam) ruled at Rs 2,800-2,820 while Sharbati (sela) was at Rs 2,720-2,740 a quintal.

Among the brokens of Sharbati variety, Tibar quoted at Rs 2,350-2,525, Dubar sold at Rs 2,100-2,260, and Mongra was trading around Rs 1,700-1,750 a quintal.

PR-11 (sela) sold at Rs 2,100-2,350 while PR-11 (raw) remained unchanged and quoted at Rs 1,925-2,140 a quintal. Permal (sela) sold at Rs 1,800-1,950 a quintal while Permal (raw) sold at Rs 1,900-2,045 a quintal.