The government has completed wheat procurement for the 2025–26 rabi marketing season (April–June), with a total purchase of 29.92 million tonnes (MT). This is the highest wheat procurement since the 2021–22 season.
Officials confirmed that the stock will be sufficient for public distribution and market intervention.
Currently, arrivals have slowed, with only small quantities reported from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Yet, enough stock is available with millers, traders, and government agencies, according to Mukesh Khatod, a trader from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.
Five States Drive Procurement; UP Lags
Wheat procurement this season is 13% higher than the same period last year. It has surpassed the previous seasons—26.6 MT in 2024–25 and 26.2 MT in 2023–24.
Procurement had dropped to 18.8 MT in 2022–23 due to low output after peaking at 43.3 MT in 2021–22.
Punjab (11.93 MT), Madhya Pradesh (7.77 MT), Haryana (7.14 MT), and Rajasthan (2.02 MT) led the procurement. However, Uttar Pradesh, the top wheat-producing state, recorded only 1.02 MT, far below its 3 MT target.
Wheat Prices Stable Amid Record Output
The Food Corporation of India holds 36.65 MT of wheat, well above the 27.58 MT buffer needed by 1 July.
The agriculture ministry has projected a record wheat output of 117.5 MT for the 2024–25 crop year, up 3.7% year-on-year.
Average mandi prices in major states range from ₹2,425 to ₹2,521 per quintal. The minimum support price (MSP) is ₹2,425, with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan offering bonuses.
The food ministry has imposed stock limits to control inflation, which stood at 7.61% for wheat in April.
Officials said the government may consider extra allocations of wheat under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, given the current comfortable stock.
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