India's Wheat Procurement Hits 3-Year High

The government has procured 29.92 million tonnes (MT) of wheat during the 2025–26 Rabi marketing season (April–June), marking a 13 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. This figure is also the highest in the past three years, according to a senior official.

This procurement has been made from a total of 40.42 MT of wheat that arrived in the markets of major wheat-producing states across the country. The remaining quantity has been purchased by millers and private traders, at prices not lower than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the government.

A small quantity of wheat continues to arrive at mandis in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The government considers the current procurement adequate for distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and for market intervention schemes aimed at stabilising prices.

As of now, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) holds a wheat stock of 36.65 MT, which exceeds the buffer requirement of 27.58 MT for 1 July, the official added.

The top four states contributing to the procurement include Punjab (11.93 MT), Madhya Pradesh (7.77 MT), Haryana (7.14 MT), and Rajasthan (2.02 MT).

According to the agriculture ministry, wheat production is estimated to reach a record 117.5 MT during the 2024–25 crop year (July–June), reflecting a 3.7 per cent increase over the previous year.

On Thursday, the average mandi prices across major producing states were: Punjab (Rs 2,475/quintal), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 2,521/quintal), Rajasthan (Rs 2,465/quintal), and Haryana (Rs 2,425/quintal). The modal retail price of wheat stood at Rs 28/kg.

The Government of India continues to monitor food prices closely and has imposed stock limits on wheat held by wholesale and retail traders to curb hoarding and speculative practices that fuel inflation.

Under an order issued in the last week of May, wholesale traders are now allowed to hold a maximum of 3,000 metric tonnes of wheat. For retail traders, the limit is 10 metric tonnes.

Large retail chains are permitted to hold up to 10 metric tonnes per outlet, subject to an overall cap calculated as 10 metric tonnes multiplied by the number of retail outlets. This total includes all stock held at retail locations and depots.

(Apart from the headline, this article has not been edited by Benefit News editorial team and is published from an IANS news feed.)