Government procurement of rice reaches above 531 lakh tonnes

02-Jul-2025 10:56 AM

New Delhi. Government procurement for the central pool during the current marketing season up to June 2025 (in terms of rice equivalent to procured paddy) has reached 531.13 lakh tonnes.

This includes more than 68 lakh tonnes of rice procured during the Rabi marketing season. In comparison, procurement in the previous season stood at 525.48 lakh tonnes, indicating a marginal increase this year.

According to official sources, about 410 lakh tonnes of rice will be required for distribution under various welfare schemes and programs, including the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Additionally, the rules mandate that at least 135 lakh tonnes of rice must be available in the central pool as of June 1. Therefore, the total requirement stands at approximately 545 lakh tonnes.

As of July 1, the government held a massive stock of 321 lakh tonnes of rice, along with nearly the same quantity of paddy, which is equivalent to around 230 lakh tonnes of rice.

In total, the government possesses a significantly higher quantity of rice than the projected domestic requirement. Meanwhile, harvesting of the new paddy crop is set to begin in about three months, which will be followed by fresh market arrivals and procurement.

This surplus has placed tremendous pressure on the government to liquidate the excess stock. Various measures are being considered to reduce inventory.

With expectations of a favourable monsoon and increased paddy sowing this year, another bumper rice harvest is anticipated. This raises serious concerns over the safe storage of the next round of procurement.

Notably, during the 2024-25 season, rice production in India surged to an all-time high of 1490.70 lakh tonnes, including 1218.50 lakh tonnes produced during the Kharif season.

The remaining production came from the Rabi and Zaid seasons. Government procurement of Kharif paddy-rice concluded on June 30.

Procurement of Rabi rice, which began on April 1, 2025, has a government target of 71.70 lakh tonnes. In West Bengal alone, 19.91 lakh tonnes of rice were procured, significantly higher than last year's 16.79 lakh tonnes.