India Raises Wheat Export Quota to 5 Million Tonnes

India has approved an additional 2.5 million tonnes of wheat exports, doubling the total quota to 5 million tonnes, as domestic supplies stabilise and global demand from friendly nations intensifies.

The Food Ministry’s decision, cleared by an inter-ministerial committee, responds to farmer distress over low mandi prices near the ₹2,275/20kg MSP floor, while new-season arrivals bolster stocks. Despite the 2022 ban, exports continue to select countries via DGFT permits—monthly applications for minimum 2,500-tonne lots, shipped within six months.

Traders welcome the lift, noting rabi harvest projections at 112 million tonnes exceed 105 million domestic needs. The quota includes 1 million tonnes wheat products (atta, maida, sooji) for diaspora, with HS codes 1001/1101 remaining ‘prohibited’ otherwise.

Maritime logistics gears up: Mundra/Kandla, key grain gateways, eye 15% volume spike via DFC rail—CONCOR’s Area 1 records aiding evacuations. Hormuz reopening eases freighters, but ULIP dashboards (Maharashtra MoU) optimise EXIM amid EU CBAM for agri-chains.

Global buyers in Asia/Africa queue, as Ukraine’s 2026 crop dips 4%. India’s calibrated push balances farmer incomes, inflation control, and forex—₹15,000 crore potential earnings—aligning Gati Shakti’s trade facilitation.