The Centre on Monday allowed exports of wheat and wheat products without any conditions, shifting the commodity from the ‘restricted’ to the ‘free’ export category with immediate effect.
The decision follows the removal of the nearly four-year-old ban on wheat and wheat-product exports in February 2026, citing surplus domestic stocks and prospects of a record harvest.
Under the revised policy, exports of wheat or meslin flour (atta), maida, semolina (rava), wholemeal atta and resultant atta will now be permitted without restrictions, according to notifications issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
According to trade estimates, only 0.15 million tonne (MT) of wheat and 0.05 MT of wheat products have been exported since the government lifted the ban on shipments. The government had permitted exports of 5 MT of wheat and 1 MT of wheat products.
In November 2025, with ample wheat stocks and strong crop prospects, the food ministry recommended lifting the export ban on wheat-based products. Trade sources said domestic wheat prices are currently at parity at $310/tonne for shipments to Bangladesh.
At present, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has over 48.74 MT of wheat in the central pool, against a buffer and strategic reserve norm of 20.52 MT as of October 1.
The average retail price of wheat on Monday, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs, was Rs 31.46/kg, against Rs 31.69/kg a year ago. Traders said the government currently holds over 20 MT of surplus wheat after meeting the requirements of the public distribution system and buffer stocks.
Retail inflation in wheat was moderate at 0.26% in July 2026 compared with the year-ago period.
“By restoring free export status, the government has not only recognised the strength and competitiveness of India’s milling sector but also created a strong platform for Indian millers to re-establish their presence in international markets,” Navneet Chitlangia, president of the Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India, told FE. Chitlangia said the move would make India a reliable and respected supplier of wheat and wheat products in the global arena.
India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer after China, had imposed the ban on wheat and wheat-product exports in May 2022 due to concerns over food security, a smaller harvest and rising inflation.
India’s traditional wheat export markets include Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates. Despite being a major wheat producer, India’s share of the global market has remained moderate.
In May, while releasing the third advance estimates of foodgrain production for the 2025-26 crop year (July-June), agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pegged wheat production at a record 120.657 MT, up from 117.945 MT in 2024-25.