India Sets Wheat Procurement Target at 3.03 Crore Tons for Rabi 2026-27 Amid Record Production
The government has announced a procurement target of 3.03 crore tons of wheat for the upcoming Rabi marketing season 2026-27.
India Sets Wheat Procurement Target at 3.03 Crore Tons for Rabi 2026-27 Amid Record Production
Record sowing and favorable weather have set the stage for a bumper wheat crop in India. Wheat production for the 2025-26 Rabi season is estimated to reach 12 crore tons, surpassing last year’s record of 11.79 crore tons across 3.34 crore hectares.
The government has announced a procurement target of 3.03 crore tons of wheat for the upcoming Rabi marketing season 2026-27. This target was finalized during a meeting of state food secretaries chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) on Friday.
Most wheat procurement is expected to occur between April and June, while the purchase of other crops will continue until March. For the same period, rice procurement is projected at 76 lakh tons. States are also estimated to procure around 7.79 lakh tons of coarse grains, including millets, to support domestic consumption.
The Indian Food Corporation (FCI) is expected to maintain wheat stocks of approximately 1.82 crore tons by April 1, 2026, ensuring sufficient supply to meet domestic requirements during the Rabi season.
In February, India lifted a four-year-old ban on wheat and wheat product exports. Initially, the government has permitted the export of 25 lakh tons of wheat and 5 lakh tons of wheat products, allowing controlled participation in international markets.
These measures are intended to balance domestic supply, procurement, and export needs, supporting food security while ensuring the agricultural sector can efficiently manage production and distribution during the Rabi marketing season.