Seasonal Crop Calendar: When to Sell What for Maximum Profit
Timing is everything in agriculture. Sell too early and you miss the price peak. Sell too late and the market is flooded. This month-by-month calendar — built from years of historical mandi data — helps you plan exactly when to hold and when to sell each crop.
📅 Month-by-Month Selling Guide
January
Mustard harvest begins in Rajasthan & MP. Potato cold storage releases start. Wheat prices peak (off-season premium).
February
Mustard arrivals surge. Rabi season crops nearing maturity. Vegetable prices usually moderate.
March
Wheat harvest begins in MP, UP. Early mango arrivals from South India. Garlic harvest peaks.
April
Peak wheat harvest across North India. Mango season intensifies. Tomato prices typically crash.
May
Summer vegetables become scarce — capsicum, cucumber, bottle gourd prices RISE sharply. Wheat surplus in storage.
June
Monsoon Kharif sowing begins. Onion stored from March reaches peak price. Old stock commands premium.
July
Heavy monsoon. Transport disruptions spike vegetable prices. Soyabean sowing peaks. Cotton planting continues.
August
Kharif crops growing. Apple season peaks in HP/J&K. Tomato often spikes due to monsoon crop damage.
September
Early Kharif harvests begin — bajra, jowar, early paddy. Banana arrivals peak. Festive demand lifts prices.
October
Soyabean harvest in MP. Cotton picking starts. Diwali drives ghee, dry fruit, and sugar demand up.
November
Rabi sowing begins. Cotton harvest peaks. Chana sowing in MP/Rajasthan. Onion new crop starts arriving.
December
Winter vegetables abundant — prices DROP. Wedding season drives ghee demand. Old crop wheat/rice at peak premium.
🏆 5 Golden Rules of Seasonal Selling
- 1
Never sell your entire harvest on Day 1. Stagger sales over 3-4 weeks to average out price fluctuations.
- 2
Store crops for 2-3 months post-harvest if you can. Prices almost always improve once the supply glut passes.
- 3
Sell into demand peaks — festivals, weddings, and export windows create premium pricing opportunities.
- 4
Compare prices across 3+ mandis before deciding where to sell. Transport cost vs. price differential matters.
- 5
Track weather forecasts — unseasonal rains or heat waves create sudden price spikes in perishable commodities.
Plan Ahead, Profit More
This calendar is based on historical patterns and will vary by region and year. Always cross-check with live mandi prices before making selling decisions.
📊 Check Live Mandi Prices NowFrequently Asked Questions: Crop Calendar & Timing
Q.Why do crop prices crash immediately after peak harvest?
Simultaneous harvest across entire states triggers massive supply gluts in mandis. When daily arrivals temporarily exceed processing and warehouse capacity, buyers lower their bids until the peak arrival rush subsides.
Q.Which months offer the highest off-season prices for stored wheat and grains?
December through February historically delivers the highest wholesale premiums for stored wheat and paddy, as commercial millers exhaust initial stocks months before the upcoming Rabi harvest.
Q.How do monsoon disruptions trigger sudden vegetable price spikes in July and August?
Excessive monsoon rains damage standing vegetable crops in major belts (Maharashtra, Karnataka, MP) while washed-out highways disrupt interstate truck freight, creating intense supply deficits in urban mandis.
Q.What is the most effective selling strategy for small and medium farmers?
Avoid selling 100% of the harvest on Day 1. Stagger sales over 3 to 4 weeks, compare prices across 2 to 3 neighboring mandis, and hold durable grains in safe storage if prices sit near or below MSP.