New Delhi: Recent rains and cold weather in the top producing states of Northwest India – Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan – have provided significant relief to the wheat crop. Nationally, the sowing area has also jumped from 328 lakh hectares last year to a new record level of 334 lakh hectares this year. This suggests that the production of this important food grain in the country is once again expected to be excellent.

Farmers and traders are showing good interest in selling their old stocks. Stock limits are in place for wheat, and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has restarted the e-auction process for selling wheat from its stocks under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS). Millers and processors also have normal stocks of wheat.

During the week of January 24-30, the price of wheat in Delhi fell by Rs. 30 to Rs. 2770/2790 per quintal, in Dabra (Uttar Pradesh) it decreased by Rs. 45 to Rs. 2500/2580 per quintal, in Ujjain by Rs. 25 to Rs. 2375/3000 per quintal, and in Itarsi by Rs. 10 to Rs. 2460/2520 per quintal.

However, an improvement of Rs. 15 per quintal was recorded in Kota and Rs. 20 per quintal in Bundi (Rajasthan). Due to limited trading in the markets of Uttar Pradesh, wheat prices remained soft, falling by Rs. 25-30 per quintal. Meanwhile, in the Jalna market of Maharashtra, the price of wheat plummeted by Rs. 150 to Rs. 2500/2600 per quintal.

Compared to last year, the wheat production area has increased in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat during the current Rabi season, while the area has decreased in states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Bihar.

The government has increased the minimum support price for wheat by ₹160 per quintal, from ₹2425 per quintal for the 2024-25 season to ₹2585 per quintal for the 2025-26 season. This is expected to significantly increase farmers' income if production reaches record levels. The weather in February and March will be crucial for the wheat crop.