FCI Transit and Storage Losses
17-Jul-2025 12:03 PM
FCI Transit and Storage Losses
★ The Food Corporation of India (FCI) lost 23,000 tonnes of foodgrain in transit during April–June 2025, valued at approximately ₹759 crore.
★ This represents 0.18% of the total 12.8 million tonnes of grain transported across the country.
★ Reasons for transit losses include handling errors, spillage, theft, poor railway infrastructure, and fluctuations in temperature and moisture.
★ In FY 2024-25, FCI recorded a total transit loss of 73,000 tonnes, worth ₹2,360 crore, amounting to 0.17% of transported stock.
★ Transit losses have declined over the years — from 1.7% in 1990 to 0.3% in 2015, and further since then.
★ During the 2025-26 rabi marketing season, FCI procured 30.1 million tonnes of wheat and 53.1 million tonnes of rice (till June).
★ Storage losses in FCI godowns stood at 20,000 tonnes (worth ₹844.2 crore), which is 0.09% of the 22.2 million tonnes stored.
★ In contrast, storage gains during 2024-25 were 66,000 tonnes (0.08%), mostly due to moisture absorption in hygroscopic grains like wheat.
★ Rice, however, tends to lose moisture during storage, usually leading to a net weight loss.