HINGOLI

Hingoli district, located in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, is a significant center for turmeric cultivation and trade. The region is especially known for Vasmat Haldi, a turmeric variety that has earned a GI tag for its distinct aroma, bright color, and high curcumin content. This turmeric is cultivated across Hingoli and neighboring districts like Nanded and Parbhani, and it commands premium prices in both local and regional markets due to its recognized quality.

The Basmat mandi, located in a neighboring taluka, is another important trading hub for turmeric. It serves as a consolidation point for bulk buyers, exporters, and spice processors. Some traders from Hyderabad, Nagpur, and even Gujarat visit these markets for bulk procurement. In addition to raw turmeric, a small portion of the produce is processed locally into powder and sold in nearby retail markets and urban centers.

The APMC Mandi in Hingoli serves as a major wholesale trading center for agricultural produce in the district. Operated by the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, the mandi provides a regulated platform where farmers, traders, commission agents, and buyers come together to conduct transparent and fair trade. Located near the railway station in Hingoli city, the mandi is well-connected and handles a large volume of crops throughout the year. It primarily deals in soybean, turmeric, red gram (tur), gram, wheat, and other oilseeds and pulses. Among these, soybean and turmericare the most traded, with prices for soybean typically ranging from ₹3,700 to ₹4,200 per quintal, and turmeric fetching between ₹10,000 to ₹14,000, depending on quality and season.

Farmers bring their produce to the mandi during harvest season, often arriving in tractors or bullock carts, where it is weighed, graded, and auctioned through open bidding or digital platforms. Licensed traders and commission agents facilitate transactions, while the APMC ensures standardized pricing and protects farmers from exploitation. Quality is assessed through visual checks and moisture tests, especially for crops like turmeric and pulses. The mandi is busiest during peak harvesting months—particularly October to March—when local and regional trade volume surges.

Surrounding Hingoli are several smaller markets and sub-yards such as Kanegoan Naka, Kalamnuri, Sengaon, and Jawala Bazar, which also fall under the broader APMC system. These markets serve as feeder hubs, helping distribute trade and reduce congestion at the main mandi. In addition to crop trade, the APMC premises often host stalls selling seeds, fertilizers, tools, and packaging materials, making it a one-stop point for agricultural inputs.

In rural Maharashtra, Bail Bazaars are seasonal livestock markets that play a key role in the agricultural economy. They operate mainly during the farming off-season, especially in summer and before Bail Pola, a festival that honors working bulls. These markets focus on the sale of cows, buffaloes, and bulls, which are essential for plowing, transport, and other farm work. Bulls, particularly those bred for races or known for strength, fetch the highest prices. Prices depend on health, breed, training, and physical condition. Buyers inspect animals by checking their teeth, horns, posture, and gait to judge age and fitness. Breeds like Deoni and Lal Kandhar are especially valued for their strength and endurance.

The largest Bail Bazaar in the district is held at Jawala Bazar, drawing traders and buyers from nearby regions. These markets are not only centers for livestock trade but also serve as social and cultural spaces, where farmers exchange information and maintain agricultural traditions. Alongside livestock, vendors sell tools, animal feed, and local goods, making the bazaar a central event in rural life. Despite growing mechanization, Bail Bazaars continue to support traditional farming and rural economies.

Situated in the heart of the city, Hingoli Market is a crucial economic hub offering fresh produce, grains, spices, household items, clothing, electronics, and traditional handicrafts. The market's diverse range of stalls and shops showcases local entrepreneurship and cultural vibrancy. Known by different names depending on its location and the products sold, Hingoli Market plays a vital role in the district’s economy.

The Hingoli (Kanegoan Naka) Market is a major wholesale agricultural mandi located on the outskirts of Hingoli city. It operates under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) and serves as a vital trading hub for surrounding rural areas. This market handles a wide range of commodities, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and spices. As of mid-June 2025, soybean prices ranged between ₹3,700 and ₹4,150 per quintal, while turmeric traded at ₹13,000 to ₹14,000 per quintal. Other regularly traded crops include red gram, Bengal gram, and wheat, with modal prices ranging from ₹2,400 to ₹6,200 depending on the commodity and quality.

Farmers bring their produce to the market during harvest seasons, where it is assessed for quality—typically based on moisture content, grain uniformity, and cleanliness—before being auctioned through open or digital bidding systems. The Kanegoan Naka mandi plays an important role in connecting local producers to larger wholesale buyers and processors. It also acts as a feeder mandi for smaller trading centers such as Sengaon, Kalamnuri, Basmat, and Jawala Bazar. In addition to crop trading, the market includes facilities for the sale of agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and tools, making it a comprehensive hub for farmers in the region.

Held every Tuesday, Mangalwar Bazaar is a weekly market known for its bustling crowds and dynamic trade. People from various villages converge to buy and sell goods, including vegetables, fruits, clothes, and household items. More than just a marketplace, it serves as a vibrant social and economic hub where locals reconnect and exchange goods in a lively setting.

Located within Sabji Mandi, Mirchi Bazaar specializes in chili peppers and spices. Farmers, wholesalers, and retailers gather here to trade various types of chilies, ranging from mild to extremely hot varieties. This market plays a vital role in the spice trade and contributes significantly to the local economy.

Sabji Mandi is a key marketplace for fresh vegetables and agricultural produce. Local farmers bring their goods each morning, selling in bulk to stallholders who then distribute them directly to consumers. Besides fresh produce, the market also features spices, handicrafts, raw grains, snacks, dry fruits, and pulses, making it a go-to destination for daily essentials.

Sadar Bazar is one of the oldest and most prominent marketplaces in Hingoli, with a history that dates back to before Indian independence. It has long served as a central commercial hub, supporting generations of traders and residents. The market is especially known for its traditional wooden stalls, which line the narrow lanes and contribute to its distinctive, old-world character. A wide range of goods is sold here, including raw tobacco, spices, stationery, rangoli supplies, and various types of flowers, making it a go-to place for both cultural and everyday shopping needs. Due to the significant flower trade, the market is often locally referred to as ‘Phoole Market’.

In addition to its historical and cultural significance, Sadar Bazar remains a key retail zone in modern Hingoli. It hosts a variety of small businesses such as garment shops, utensil stores, pharmacies, and dairy product outlets. Local institutions like the Bank of Maharashtra branch also operate in the area, supporting financial transactions for both residents and small traders. Though not a wholesale mandi like Kanegoan Naka or the APMC yard, Sadar Bazar thrives as a retail-oriented market, drawing foot traffic from across the city.