With only 3 lakh tonne increase in government procurement, outstanding stock of wheat is likely to remain stable

14-Jun-2024 08:00 PM

New Delhi. Government procurement of wheat has almost been formally closed, while its process will officially end on 30 June.

Last year, 262 lakh tonne wheat was purchased for the central pool, while in the current year it is estimated to increase by 3 lakh tonne to 265 lakh tonne.

At the time of the start of the new Rabi marketing season on 1 April this year, the government had a previous outstanding stock of 75 lakh tonne wheat,

while with the procurement of 265 lakh tonne, its total availability will increase to 340 lakh tonne. Out of this, 183 lakh tonne wheat is likely to be allocated for the Public Distribution System (PDS), while 82 lakh tonne wheat may be required (withdrawn) under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) and for Bharat Brand flour. In this way, a total of 265 lakh tonnes of wheat will be used and when the next new marketing season begins on 1 April 2025,

only 75 lakh tonnes of wheat surplus stock may remain in the central pool again.Last year, there was an outstanding stock of 83 lakh tonnes of wheat and with the purchase of 262 lakh tonnes,

its total availability reached 345 lakh tonnes. Out of this, 173 lakh tonnes were allocated for PDS and 97 lakh tonnes for OMSS and Bharat Aata.

In this way, a total of 270 lakh tonnes of wheat was withdrawn and a surplus stock of 75 lakh tonnes of wheat remained in the central pool. Commercial export of wheat is banned but it can be exported at the government level.