Government Wheat Procurement Reaches Four-Year High

15-May-2026 11:45 AM

New Delhi: In the current Rabi marketing season, as of May 13, 2026, the total procurement of wheat for the Central Pool has risen to 306.12 lakh tonnes. This figure is not only significantly higher than the 292.60 lakh tonnes procured during the corresponding period of the previous season but also marks the highest level recorded in the last four years. The government has set a procurement target of 345 lakh tonnes of wheat for this season, 89 percent of which has already been achieved. The procurement process is currently ongoing.

According to official statistics, compared to the previous year, government wheat procurement during the current Rabi marketing season has increased from 118.17 lakh tonnes to 121.62 lakh tonnes in Punjab; surged from 70.69 lakh tonnes to 80.93 lakh tonnes in Haryana; risen from 9.85 lakh tonnes to 12.08 lakh tonnes in Uttar Pradesh; and improved from 15.83 lakh tonnes to 16.64 lakh tonnes in Rajasthan. However, in Madhya Pradesh, wheat procurement declined from 77.74 lakh tonnes last year to 73.99 lakh tonnes; nevertheless, the gap in procurement figures has narrowed significantly in recent weeks. In Bihar as well, wheat procurement has increased from 17,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes.

In Haryana, wheat procurement has exceeded the set target of 72 lakh tonnes by 12 percent, while in Punjab, the target has been nearly achieved. Furthermore, targets have been met to the extent of 74 percent in Madhya Pradesh, 71 percent in Rajasthan, 48 percent in Uttar Pradesh, and 17 percent in Bihar.

Last year, a total of slightly over 301 lakh tonnes of wheat was procured during the entire Rabi marketing season, whereas 262 lakh tonnes were procured in 2024, 260 lakh tonnes in 2023, and 188 lakh tonnes in 2022. Wheat procurement is expected to continue in some states until next month.