Wheat Output Seen at 120 MMT

16-Jan-2026 03:53 PM

New Delhi. The Union Agriculture Minister stated that a record 117.94 million tonnes of wheat were produced domestically during the 2024-25 Rabi season, and production in the current 2025-26 season is expected to exceed that.

Continuing this trend, the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) in Karnal has estimated that wheat production will reach an all-time high of 120 million tonnes.

According to the institute, not only has the area under wheat cultivation surged to a new record level, but approximately three-quarters of the area has been sown with climate-resilient varieties that have a greater capacity to withstand adverse weather conditions.

The Meteorological Department has predicted above-average temperatures in February and March, which could pose a threat to the wheat crop, as flowering and grain formation occur during these two months.

However, the institute says that the higher temperatures will not significantly affect the crop, and if the crop receives regular irrigation through rainfall or artificial means, a bumper harvest is expected once again.

According to official figures, the area under wheat cultivation has increased by 613,000 hectares from 32.804 million hectares in 2024-25 to a new record level of 33.417 million hectares in the current 2025-26 season, which is about 2.2 million hectares more than the five-year average area of ​​31.235 million hectares.

The crop condition is normal in most areas, and the weather remains favorable. Several areas need rain. If there are one or two showers in the next few days, the crop condition will improve further.

The expectation of a bumper harvest has stabilized wheat prices, while the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has resumed the sale of its wheat under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).