Central Pool Holds Adequate Rice and Wheat Stocks

18-Sep-2025 10:46 AM

New Delhi. Rice stocks in the Central Pool reached a new record level at the beginning of September 2025, rising 14 percent compared to last year, while wheat stocks also rose to a four-year high. The increase in stocks was due to heavy procurement of paddy and wheat from farmers.

According to official data, a record stock of 48.2 million tons of rice was present in the Central Pool on September 1, which includes the quantity of paddy that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is expected to receive from rice millers through custom milling.

According to prevailing regulations, the government must have a minimum stock of 13.5 million tons of rice on July 1, while the actual stock is much higher. This is expected to increase further next month.

Similarly, a large stock of 33.3 million tons of wheat was available in government warehouses on September 1, well above the minimum required buffer quantity of 27.6 million tons for this period.

Despite this, the government has not yet begun selling wheat from its stock through the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).

According to trade analysts, rice exports are increasing, and record shipments are expected this year. Government stocks have reached high levels due to robust paddy and rice procurement last season.

The government has already removed restrictions, controls, and customs duties on commercial exports of all varieties and grades of rice.

The Rice Exporters Association expects rice exports from India to jump by approximately 25 percent compared to last year, reaching a record level of 22.5 million tons during the current year. Basmati rice will also play a significant role in this growth.