Dismissing any possibility of the resumption in wheat export amid higher procurement, the government on Thursday said it is “premature” to talk about it now when the current purchases have not even crossed last year’s total. However, it hinted that once the procurement ends, the government could restore the original entitlements under the public distribution system (PDS).
Addressing the media, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said the government has procured 25.63 million tonnes (mt) of wheat so far this year, up by about 25 per cent from 20.54 mt in the corresponding period last year.
When asked about lifting the export ban on wheat, Chopra responded: “It is premature to talk about allowing wheat exports when we have not even crossed last year’s total.” The government had procured 26.61 mt of wheat in 2024-25 against target of 37.3 mt.
Chopra said the Centre will review the restoration of wheat entitlements under PDS after the ongoing procurement drive concludes. The Agriculture Ministry has projected a record wheat production of 115.43 mt for the 2024-25 crop year (July-June).
Procurement smooth
When asked if the government will fully restore wheat supply under PDS in view of the bumper harvest, Chopra said: “We will have to wait until the procurement is over. We will get a clear picture after the procurement operation is over.”
He said procurement has been smooth and good so far and the government is hopeful of achieving close to the estimate of 31.27 mt (initial estimate). The government has further raised the target in Madhya Pradesh to 8 mt from 7 mt fixed two days back whereas intially it was 6 mt, taking the all India target to 33.27 mt. The procurement in Madhya Pradesh has reached 6.76 mt, against 3.61 mt year-ago.
Until April 30 this season after procurement began from March 10, the Centre has bought 10.39 mt from Punjab, followed by 6.57 mt from Haryana, 1.14 mt from Rajasthan and 0.75 mt in Uttar Pradesh.
In 2022, the government had cut wheat supply through PDS by substituting the entitlement with rice and it continued in 2023 and 2024 as well. However, some partial restoration was done in October last year, after the Food Ministry approved 3.5 mt of additional wheat until March 2025.
Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), each beneficiary is entitled to receive rice or wheat or both totalling 5 kg per month, depending on government stock.
Published on May 1, 2025
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