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Informist, Monday, Apr. 28, 2025

 

By Afra Abubacker

 

NEW DELHI – The Food Corporation of India has met nearly 74% of its wheat procurement target of 31.3 million tonnes in the 2025-26 rabi marketing season (Apr-Mar) as purchases picked up pace in Punjab while Madhya Pradesh exceeded its target. As of Sunday, FCI bought 23.04 million tonnes wheat, up 29.3% on year from 17.8 million tonnes purchased last year, official data reviewed by Informist showed. 

 

The procurement window is set to end in June. On Apr. 20, FCI had only met 40.7% of its procurement target. If the current momentum holds, FCI officials and market are optimistic of meeting the FY26 procurement goal, after three consecutive years of below-target purchases. A surplus wheat reserve helps the government to distribute the grain under welfare programmes and also sell it to open market to check prices. 

 

So far this year, most wheat has come from Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. Punjab has led the procurement drive with purchases of 8.97 million tonnes, up 16.6% from the same period last year. The state has achieved 72.3% of its 12.4 million tonnes target as buying picked up pace following Baisakhi, the harvest festival on Apr. 13.

 

Haryana followed closely with procurement of 6.24 million tonnes, about 83.2% of its 7.5-million-tonnes target, while Madhya Pradesh bought 6.15 million tonnes, exceeding its 6.0-million-tonnes goal. The state had announced an INR 175 per 100 kg bonus over the minimum support price to encourage higher procurement.

 

Rajasthan continued its standout performance with wheat procurement a whopping 180% up from last year. The state has procured 1 million tonnes wheat so far, achieving 50% target amid a state-announced bonus of INR 150 per 100 kg. 

 

In contrast, Uttar Pradesh – India's largest wheat-growing state – lagged significantly. The state procured only 662,670 tonnes, or 22.1% of its 3-million-tonne target. Procurement from Uttar Pradesh tends to be lower amid strong presence of private traders in the market. 

 

The Centre has eased norms for wheat procurement in all districts of Uttar Pradesh during the ongoing rabi marketing season 2025-26. Lustre loss in wheat containing up to 90?fected kernels can now be procured without any value cut, in all districts of Uttar Pradesh.

 

The total wheat production for 2024-25 (Jul–Jun) is estimated to rise to a record 115.4 million tonnes, compared with 113.3 million tonnes last year, according to farm ministry projections. Higher output, early start to procurement operations, and government bonuses have boosted wheat purchases after three consecutive years of below-target purchases.  End

 

Edited by Deepshikha Bhardwaj

 

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