India Raises Wheat Procurement Target Amid Lower Production Estimates

It has also relaxed quality norms in major producing states to support farm-gate prices, which have been ruling lower this year. Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra announced these changes after the release of an annual wheat survey report in New Delhi.

The procurement target increases include Madhya Pradesh to 100 lakh tonnes from 78 lakh tonnes, Uttar Pradesh to 25 lakh tonnes from 10 lakh tonnes, Bihar to 1.80 lakh tonnes from 0.18 lakh tonnes, Rajasthan to 23.5 lakh tonnes from 21 lakh tonnes, and Uttarakhand to 0.50 lakh tonnes from 0.01 lakh tonnes.

These adjustments were made at the request of state governments. Chopra urged flour millers to procure wheat directly from the market rather than relying on government sales.

A report by Agriwatch, commissioned by the Roller Flour Millers Federation of India, estimates India's wheat production for 2025-26 at 110.65 million tonnes. This figure is higher than the 109.63 million tonnes from 2024-25 but below the government's estimate of 120.21 million tonnes for the current season.

The report attributes a drop of over 5 million tonnes from initial assessments to crop damage from unseasonal rains and hailstorms. >"The wheat crop was so good this year that production could have reached 115.7 mt. " — Nalin Rawal, Agriwatch, April 24, 2026 (The Hindu BusinessLine) State-wise, the report pegs output at 31.43 million tonnes in Uttar Pradesh, 27.41 million tonnes in Madhya Pradesh, 15.38 million tonnes in Punjab, 10.61 million tonnes in Haryana, and 10.15 million tonnes in Rajasthan.

It notes higher production in most states except Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab compared to the previous year. Navneet Chitlangia, president of the Roller Flour Millers Federation of India, stated that actual output could be between 115 and 116 million tonnes.

of April 23, 2026, wheat procurement reached 164.32 lakh tonnes, compared to 183.49 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. Purchases increased in Punjab to 75.73 lakh tonnes from 59.20 lakh tonnes, in Haryana to 65.16 lakh tonnes from 56.64 lakh tonnes, and in Bihar to 17,281 tonnes from 9,991 tonnes.

However, procurement fell in Madhya Pradesh to 13.19 lakh tonnes from 54.09 lakh tonnes, in Uttar Pradesh to 4.08 lakh tonnes from 5.51 lakh tonnes, and in Rajasthan to 5.7 lakh tonnes from 7.84 lakh tonnes. A flour miller noted that traders and stockists have been absent from the market this year, unlike normal years, contributing to lower prices.

Previous years saw stock limits on stockists, traders, and millers, leading to losses for many who bought aggressively. This caution has persisted despite reports of crop damage. " — A flour miller, April 24, 2026 (The Hindu BusinessLine) Chopra mentioned that the open market sales policy will be released before the new sale season starts in July.

He encouraged millers to be self-reliant in their wheat requirements. The differences in production estimates stem from varying assessment methods and field conditions, with harvesting ongoing in key regions.

The lower production estimate could influence domestic wheat supply and food security in India, which relies heavily on the crop for both consumption and exports. Officials have not commented on the discrepancy between the report and the government's figures.

Wheat is a major crop in India, with production assessments typically conducted around this time of year. The government's measures aim to bolster farm-gate prices amid trailing procurement levels. Experts view the target hike as potentially symbolic, given that actual purchases are below last year's figures.

The report highlights that despite initial promise, weather events reduced potential output significantly.