New Delhi. Sowing of wheat, the most important food grain of the Rabi season, has now reached its final stage. Supply in the markets is varying, ranging from low to normal. A stock limit is in effect for wheat, and government sales under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) have already been suspended. This is forcing flour millers, especially in Uttar Pradesh, to become more active in purchasing wheat from the markets.

During the week of December 20-26, wheat prices rose by Rs. 35 in Delhi to Rs. 2810/2835 and by Rs. 200 in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, to Rs. 2450/3100 per quintal. However, prices fell by Rs. 200 in Rajkot, Gujarat, to Rs. 2500/2900 per quintal and by Rs. 300 in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, to Rs. 2425/2700 per quintal. It is noteworthy that this decline in wheat prices mainly occurred at the higher end of the price range, while prices at the lower end remained almost stable. An improvement in wheat prices was recorded in some other markets of Madhya Pradesh and in Kota, Rajasthan. Similarly, wheat prices increased by Rs. 20-25 and in some places by Rs. 50 per quintal in many markets of Uttar Pradesh.

Wheat prices in most markets have fallen to around the Minimum Support Price (MSP), which is fixed at Rs. 2425 per quintal for the 2024-25 season and Rs. 2585 per quintal for the 2025-26 season. The area under wheat cultivation is slightly ahead of last year, but the increase is not as significant as initially projected.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has sufficient stock of wheat and is willing to sell it, but millers and processors have shown less interest in purchasing it because the prices in the open market were attractive. Millers also have a good stock of wheat.