25 LMT Wheat Exports Quota for 2025-26 Approved, Time to Free Exports as
both Global Supplies and Price on the Uptrend
Sugar in surplus
in India no takes for export quote, market in over supply with price falling
I. Wheat
Export Decision
·
Export Approval:
o
25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat approved for
export.
o
Additional 5 LMT of wheat products also permitted.
·
Farmer-Centric Rationale:
o
Decision taken after reviewing stock availability
and price trends.
o
Aims to prevent distress sales during peak arrivals
and ensure remunerative returns to farmers.
·
Stock Position (2025–26):
o
Private sector wheat stocks: ~75 LMT (about 32 LMT
higher than last year).
o
Central pool availability with Food Corporation
of India projected at ~182 LMT as on 1 April 2026.
o
Ensures exports will not compromise domestic food
security.
·
Higher Acreage and Production Outlook:
o
Rabi 2026 wheat acreage: 334.17 lakh hectares (up
from 328.04 lakh hectares last year).
o
Reflects strong farmer confidence supported by MSP
and procurement systems.
o
Indicates expectation of another robust harvest.
·
Expected Impact:
o
Stabilise domestic prices.
o
Improve market liquidity and enable efficient stock
rotation.
o
Strengthen farmer incomes while safeguarding
national food security.
II.
Additional Sugar Export Permission (Sugar Season 2025–26)
·
New Approval:
o
Additional 5 LMT sugar exports permitted for
willing sugar mills.
o
Earlier, 15 LMT had already been approved on 14
November 2025.
·
Export Status (as of 31 January 2026):
o
1.97 LMT exported.
o
2.72 LMT contracted for export.
·
Conditions for Additional Quota:
o
At least 70% of allocated quantity must be exported
by 30 June 2026.
o
Quota allocated on a pro-rata basis among willing
mills.
o
Mills must submit willingness within 15 days of
order issuance.
o
Allocated quota cannot be swapped or exchanged.
·
Objective:
o
Facilitate higher sugar exports.
o
Manage surplus domestic sugar availability
effectively.
Overall
Significance
·
Decisions reflect a calibrated approach balancing
farmer welfare, domestic price stability, and export opportunities.
·
Ensures adequate food security while enabling
better income realisation for producers.
I.
The Government of India has approved the export of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of
wheat along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products, taking a decisive and farmer-centric
step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers.
This calibrated decision has been taken after a comprehensive assessment of the
current availability and price scenario, reaffirming the Government’s commitment
to protecting farmers’ interests.
Wheat
stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately
75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last
year. This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position
in the country. Furthermore, as on 1st April 2026, total wheat availability in the
central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT thus ensuring that export permissions
will not impact domestic food security requirements.
Wheat
acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to
328.04 lakh hectares last year. This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat
cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the
likelihood of another robust harvest.
In
view of higher stock availability, softening prices, expected higher production,
and the need to prevent distress sales during peak arrivals, the Government’s decision
to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise
domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and
further strengthen farmers’ income while national food security.
II. Along with this, to facilitate sugar exports,
Government of India has decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar
to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. Earlier, the Government
had permitted export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26
vide order dated 14.11.2025.
As per information furnished by sugar mills, only
about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to 31.01.2026. In addition, approximately
2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills as on date. The
additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills
subject to the condition that at least 70% of their allocated quantity is exported
by 30 June 2026. The export quota will be allocated on a pro-rata basis among willing
sugar mills, and mills shall submit their willingness within 15 days from the date
of issuance of the order. The export quota so allocated shall not be swapped or
exchanged with any other sugar mill.
This
decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus
sugar availability in the country.