THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
In a major policy move aimed at strengthening farm incomes while
maintaining food security, the Government of India has approved the export of
25 lakh metric tonnes of wheat along with an additional 5 lakh metric tonnes of
wheat products. The decision, taken after a detailed assessment of domestic
availability and price trends, reflects a calibrated approach to prevent
distress sales during peak arrivals and to ensure remunerative returns to
farmers.
Official estimates indicate that wheat stocks with private trade in the
2025–26 marketing year are around 75 lakh metric tonnes, nearly 32 lakh metric
tonnes higher than the same period last year, signalling a comfortable supply
position. The central pool is also expected to remain robust, with projected
availability of about 182 lakh metric tonnes with the Food Corporation of India
as on 1 April 2026, ensuring that export permissions will not compromise
national food security.
Higher acreage has further reinforced the positive outlook for the crop.
Wheat sowing in the current rabi season has risen to about 334.17 lakh hectares
compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year, reflecting strong farmer confidence
backed by assured minimum support price operations and procurement. With production
prospects remaining favourable and prices showing signs of softening, the
export window is expected to improve market liquidity, enable efficient stock
rotation and support domestic price stability.
Alongside wheat, the government has also allowed an additional export of 5 lakh metric tonnes of sugar for the ongoing 2025–26 sugar season, over and above the 15 lakh metric tonnes permitted earlier in November 2025. Data from mills show that only 1.97 lakh metric tonnes had been exported by the end of January, while contracts for another 2.72 lakh metric tonnes are in place. The fresh quota will be distributed on a pro-rata basis among willing mills, with the condition that at least 70 per cent of the allocated quantity must be exported by 30 June 2026. Mills have been asked to submit their willingness within 15 days, and swapping of quotas will not be permitted.
This decision is expected to ease surplus management in both wheat and sugar, improve cash flows for producers and processors, and align domestic supply with global market opportunities without undermining food security commitments.
