Punjab Has Huge Stock of 136 Lakh Tonnes of Rice

11-Apr-2025 04:09 PM

Ludhiana: Despite dispatching around 40 lakh tonnes of rice to other states, Punjab still holds a massive stock of 136 lakh tonnes, purchased during the Kharif marketing seasons of 2023 and 2024. Officials say 10 lakh tonnes more will be shifted this month, with 20 trains loading rice daily for transport to ease pressure on warehouses.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has increased rice movement after the government permitted decontrolled export of all rice varieties and allowed rice for ethanol production.

So far, 39.42 lakh tonnes of rice and 40.59 lakh tonnes of wheat have been dispatched from Punjab to other states.

The FCI Punjab Zone General Manager confirmed that 65 lakh tonnes of rice have been delivered by millers, and wheat procurement is now underway.

By the end of April, 126 lakh tonnes of rice will remain in stock, creating space to store 35 lakh tonnes of wheat and 14 lakh tonnes of rice still expected from millers.

Notably, the deadline to accept rice delivery from custom-milled paddy has been extended till July 2025, beyond the usual March 31. This delay in clearing space has caused difficulties for millers.

This season, Punjab plans to store 70 lakh tonnes of wheat in Covered and Plinth (CAP) storage and 35 lakh tonnes in godowns, while 20 lakh tonnes will be transported directly from procurement centres to other states.