Foodgrain Stock in Central Pool Significantly Higher Than Last Year

17-Apr-2026 05:59 PM

New Delhi. Data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) reveals that as of April 1, 2026, the Central Pool held a total foodgrain stock of 604 lakh tonnes—comprising 386 lakh tonnes of rice and 218 lakh tonnes of wheat—which is significantly higher than the 500 lakh tonnes of stock available on April 1, 2025. During the corresponding period last year, the Central Pool held a stock of 382 lakh tonnes of rice and 118 lakh tonnes of wheat. The new marketing season for the government procurement of wheat formally commenced on April 1, 2026.

The Union Ministry of Food has set a target to procure 303.37 lakh tonnes of wheat during the ongoing Rabi marketing season. Although the pace of procurement is currently slow due to certain specific reasons, it is expected to accelerate in the coming days.

Harvesting is proceeding rapidly in the major wheat-producing states, even as the threat of natural calamities—particularly unseasonal rainfall—continues to loom. In some states, the procurement season for Rabi-season paddy has also begun.

The current stock of wheat in the Central Pool is substantially higher than the prescribed minimum buffer norm. For the April-June quarter, the Central Pool is required to maintain a minimum wheat stock of 75 lakh tonnes.

This comprises an operational stock of 44.60 lakh tonnes and a reserve (strategic reserve) stock of 30 lakh tonnes. In contrast, as of April 1, the Central Pool held an available wheat stock of 218 lakh tonnes—a figure that is expected to continue rising through June. Similarly, there is an adequate stock of rice available, and this quantity is also projected to increase further.