Wheat Exports May Be Allowed if Record Production Is Achieved

02-Feb-2026 02:21 PM

New Delhi: With comfortable wheat stocks available in the central pool and a normal supply–availability situation in the domestic market, prices have remained largely stable. In the current rabi season, the wheat sowing area has surged to a new record level of 33.4 million hectares, and so far overall weather conditions and crop health remain satisfactory. In this context, some analysts believe that if domestic wheat production rises sharply to an all-time high in the ongoing 2025–26 season, the government may consider allowing wheat exports.

It may be noted that the Union Ministry of Agriculture estimated wheat production at around 118 million tonnes in the 2024–25 season and has set a production target of 118 million tonnes for the 2025–26 season as well. However, a government research institution believes that wheat output could reach as high as 120 million tonnes this year.

Despite this optimism, there is still uncertainty over whether the government will permit wheat exports. Weather conditions during February–March are not expected to be fully favorable for the wheat crop. Ensuring domestic food security remains the government’s top priority, and it is expected to procure large quantities of wheat itself. That said, reports suggest that an inter-ministerial committee is examining the issue and a decision could be taken soon. It is worth recalling that commercial exports of wheat have remained banned since May 2022.