News Capsule: Rising pressure on India’s foodgrain storage capacity amid record output
28-Apr-2026 11:52 AM
News Capsule: Rising pressure on India’s foodgrain storage capacity amid record output
★ According to available data, as of April 1, 2026, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) holds storage capacity of 487 lakh tonnes, while state agencies account for 465 lakh tonnes, taking the total capacity to 952 lakh tonnes.
★ On the same date, total foodgrain stocks stood at 608.97 lakh tonnes, comprising 386 lakh tonnes of rice, 218 lakh tonnes of wheat, and 4.77 lakh tonnes of coarse grains. In addition, around 500 lakh tonnes of paddy remains with rice millers in unmilled form.
★ The situation becomes more challenging with a wheat procurement target of 345 lakh tonnes for the 2026–27 season. If the target is fully achieved, total stocks could rise to 953.97 lakh tonnes—slightly exceeding the current storage capacity. If the unmilled paddy held by millers is processed and moved into the central pool, storage pressure is expected to intensify significantly.
★ In such a scenario, the government may have to rely on alternative storage options, including retaining stocks with rice millers or storing wheat in open plinths. However, open storage exposes grain to weather risks and leads to quality deterioration, particularly at a time when wheat quality is already reported to be weak under URS (Under Relaxed Specifications).
★ This year, the share of URS wheat is expected to be the highest on record. Storing such grain in open conditions could further degrade quality, potentially impacting future distribution and market outcomes.
★ Experts suggest that this is not just a logistical issue but a broader concern involving quality management and food security. There is an urgent need to expand storage capacity, invest in modern silo infrastructure, and adopt more efficient stock management strategies to ensure that record production does not translate into avoidable losses.