Wheat Procurement Falls 11 Percent to 148 Lakh Tonnes Amid Late Harvest Arrivals
Government Agencies Procure 148 Lakh Tonnes of Wheat in Rabi Marketing Season
Government agencies have procured 148 lakh tonnes of wheat in the ongoing rabi marketing season, marking a decline of 11.37 per cent from the year-ago period. The lower procurement is attributed to the late arrival of the crop in mandis, a senior Food Ministry official stated on Thursday.
The procurement figure stands in contrast to the 167 lakh tonnes procured during the same period last year. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies undertake procurement of wheat at the minimum support price (MSP). The procurement of wheat, the main rabi or winter crop, typically runs through March to April, with the bulk of grain purchased in the first three months.
The official noted that the late arrival of the crop in mandis led to a slower procurement pace, but the pace is now picking up. To mitigate the impact of unseasonal rains and hailstorms on the crop, relaxation in procurement norms, particularly regarding lustre loss and broken grain, has been extended to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
According to the latest data, wheat procurement in Punjab stood at 67 lakh tonnes as of April 22, a significant increase from the 49 lakh tonnes procured during the same period last year. Haryana recorded 61 lakh tonnes against 53 lakh tonnes in the previous year.
| State | Current Year (2025-26) | Previous Year (2024-25) |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab | 67 lakh tonnes | 49 lakh tonnes |
| Haryana | 61 lakh tonnes | 53 lakh tonnes |
| Madhya Pradesh | 10 lakh tonnes | 52 lakh tonnes |
| Rajasthan | 5 lakh tonnes | 7.8 lakh tonnes |
On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh saw a significant decline to 10 lakh tonnes from 52 lakh tonnes, while Rajasthan procured 5 lakh tonnes against 7.8 lakh tonnes in the previous period.
The official assured that there is no concern over storage, with state governments having made adequate arrangements. The Agriculture Ministry has pegged wheat production at a record 120.2 million tonnes for the 2025-26 crop year (July-June), according to its second advance estimate.
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