Government Revises Wheat Stock Caps Until March 2026
New Delhi: The Union Government has revised wheat stock limits for traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, and processors, effective until March 31, 2026, to ensure food security, prevent hoarding, and curb speculative practices ahead of the festive season.
The revised limits, announced today by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, amend the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2025, issued on May 27, 2025, applicable to all States and Union Territories.
The revised stock limit applicable until 31st March 2026 is as under:
Under the revised limits, traders and wholesalers are now restricted to holding 2000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat, down from 3000 MT. Retailers can hold up to 8 MT per retail outlet, reduced from 10 MT. Big chain retailers are limited to 8 MT per outlet, with a maximum of 8 MT multiplied by the total number of outlets across all their retail outlets and depots, compared to the previous limit of 10 MT per outlet. Processors’ stock limits have been adjusted to 60% of their Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by the remaining months of the financial year 2025-26, down from 70%.
All wheat stocking entities must declare or update their stock positions every Friday on the wheat stock portal (https://foodstock.dfpd.gov.in). Entities failing to register or exceeding the prescribed limits will face punitive action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Those holding stocks above the revised limits have 15 days from the notification date to comply. Central and State Government officials will closely monitor enforcement to prevent artificial scarcity of wheat.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution reported a total wheat production of 1175.07 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) for the 2024-25 crop year, ensuring ample availability nationwide. The Central Government procured 300.35 LMT of wheat during the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2025-26 through State Agencies and the Food Corporation of India (FCI), sufficient to meet the requirements of the Public Distribution System (PDS), Other Welfare Schemes (OWS), and market interventions. The Department stated it is maintaining vigilant oversight of wheat stock positions to stabilise prices and ensure easy availability across the country.
– global bihari bureau
