Finally, DGFT Lifts Ban on Wheat and Aata, Move Late as Record Harvest Came in April Itself

Ø Hardening World Price Makes Export via FCI Stock Viable

Ø Stop-go Export Policy Bad for Exports and Farmer

India Lifts Wheat Export Ban as Black Sea Disruptions Tighten Global Supplies

· Export ban scrapped: India has lifted its long-standing ban on wheat exports, allowing shipments of wheat, including durum wheat, wheat flour and other wheat products.

· DGFT notification: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued notifications permitting exports on Monday.

· Earlier relaxation: In February 2026, the government had already allowed limited wheat exports.

· Global supply impact: The move could increase supplies for wheat-importing countries across Asia, Africa and West Asia, where availability has come under pressure.

· Black Sea disruption: Intensifying Russia-Ukraine attacks on commercial vessels and ports are disrupting grain flows from major exporters, contributing to higher global wheat prices.

· Prices: Chicago wheat futures have risen to a two-year high amid concerns over supplies.

· Record domestic production: India’s latest wheat harvest reached a record 120.6 million tonnes, strengthening the case for allowing exports.

· Policy background: India had largely prohibited wheat exports since 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing domestic food-security concerns.

The government has permitted exports of wheat, including the durum variety, as well as flour and other products

India, the world’s second-biggest wheat producer, has scrapped a years-long ban on exports of the grain, a move that could ease global supplies that are under strain from escalating attacks between Russia and Ukraine.

The government has permitted exports of wheat, including the durum variety, as well as flour and other products, according to notifications issued on Monday by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. In February, the government had permitted limited shipments of the grain.

India’s outbound wheat shipments could ease supply pressures in import-dependent countries across Asia, Africa and the West Asia at a time when a pickup in attacks on commercial vessels and ports in the Black Sea has disrupted grain flows from some of the world’s top exporters. The conflict has sent Chicago wheat futures to a two-year high.

India’s last wheat harvest climbed to an all-time high of 120.6 million tons. However, the government has largely prohibited wheat exports since 2022 — the year Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began — citing food security concerns.

[DGFT Notification No. 35/2026-27 dated 24 August, 2026]

Effect of this Notification: The export policy of Wheat under the above-mentioned HS Codes is revised from 'Prohibited' to 'Free' with immediate effect.

Subject: Amendment in the Export Policy of Wheat.

S.O. (E).- In exercise of powers conferred by Section 5 read with Section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 (No. 22 of 1992), as amended, read with Para 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment in the Export Policy of Wheat under Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Export Policy:

ITC (HS) Codes	Description	Existing Export policy	Revised Export Policy
10011900	Durum Wheat: -- Other	Prohibited	Free
10019910	Wheat	Prohibited	Free

2. The export policy of the above-mentioned products/items shall accordingly be 'Free' with immediate effect.

(Issued from File No. 01/91/180/032/AM22/EC/Pt -E-31336)