Wheat Availability to Remain Easy Due to Record Production and Strong Stock

21-Apr-2025 03:42 PM

New Delhi. Wheat availability in India is expected to remain comfortable this year due to excellent domestic production and a significantly improved central stock.

The government’s decision to limit sales under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) has led to higher wheat reserves, reducing the need for imports.

As per official data, the central pool had 118 lakh tonnes of wheat stock as of April 1, 2025 — 43 lakh tonnes more than the same date last year and well above the required buffer of 74.80 lakh tonnes.

Early procurement beginning in March added 4 lakh tonnes to the stockpile. In contrast, the government sold only 30 lakh tonnes under OMSS in FY 2024-25, compared to 94.10 lakh tonnes in the previous fiscal.

This strategy helped keep prices high, but some experts argue that withholding large volumes instead of releasing stock when prices surged above ₹3000/quintal in February was not ideal. Despite strong calls for duty-free imports, the 40% import duty remained in place.

The average all-India wholesale price of wheat last week stood at ₹2824.70 per quintal — 4% below last month but 4% higher year-on-year.

As fresh arrivals increase across key producing states, prices are softening, and the need for imports has nearly vanished. The Food Ministry’s focus this year has been on rebuilding reserves rather than controlling prices.