Centre hikes reserve prices for open-market sale of wheat by 10.86% and rice 3%
The Centre has increased the reserve price of wheat by 10.86% to ₹2,550/quintal and rice by 3% to ₹2,890/quintal (with 25% broken) under the OMSS-D scheme for FY 2025–26. The price hike, effective July 10, aims to align with higher MSP and manage surplus stocks. Quantity decisions rest with FCI.
The Centre has hiked the reserve price of wheat and rice by 10.86 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively, for sale under the open market sale scheme-domestic (OMSS-D) during the 2025-26 financial year.
As per an order issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on July 10, a reserve price of Rs 2,550 per quintal has been fixed for the sale of wheat of all crop years including rabi marketing season 2025-26 to private parties through e-auction; for sale to central cooperative organisations like NAFED/NCCF/ Kendriya Bhandar for sale under the Bharat brand through own stores/mobile vans, or e-commerce/big chain retailers; and for sale to community kitchens.
The prices will be valid up to June 30, 2026, the ministry said in the order. “Transportation cost, as applicable, will be added to the reserve price,” it said.
The wheat reserve price fixed for the financial year 2025-26 is 10.86 per cent higher compared to Rs 2,300 per quintal in the last fiscal year (2024-25).
While the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has fixed the reserve price of wheat, it has not announced the quantity to be sold through the open-market sale scheme. The quantity to be sold will be decided by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
“The quantum of stocks to be offloaded & timing, considering stocks holding at the relevant point of time may be decided by FCI in consultation with DFPD after keeping the stocks for PDS requirement, buffer norms and additional quantity of 20 LMT that can be used in case of any exigency,” said the order.
The existing reserve prices of rice will continue till October 31, 2025, and the 3 per cent hike in prices will come into effect from November 1 onwards.
From November 1, the reserve price of rice with 25% broken grains to private parties and cooperatives/cooperative federations through e-auctions will be increased to Rs 2,890 per quintal from Rs 2,800 per quintal.
The reserve price of rice for sale to state governments and their corporations, and to ethanol distilleries for the production of ethanol, will increase to Rs 2,320 per quintal from Rs 2,250 per quintal.
The reserve price for the open-market sale of custom-milled rice (CMR) with 10 per cent broken grains—under the rice milling transformation scheme—to private parties through e-auctions has been hiked to Rs 3,090 per quintal from Rs 3,000 per quintal.
“3% increase in Reserve Price in accordance with increase in MSP of paddy,” said the order.
According to the order, support from the price stabilisation fund amounting to Rs 200/quintal for the sale of rice to central cooperative organisations for sale under the Bharat brand rice will be discontinued with effect from July 1, 2025.
The quantity of rice to be sold under the OMSS-D has also not been announced. “Quantum of stocks to be offloaded, and timing, considering stocks holding at the relevant point of time may be decided by FCI in consultation with DFPD after keeping the stocks for PDS requirement, buffer norms and additional quantity of 30 LMT that can be used in case of any exigency,” said the order.
The ministry has also fixed reserve prices of coarse grains—for sale of bajra to private parties through e-auctions at Rs 2,775 per quintal, ragi at Rs 4,886 per quintal, jowar at Rs 3,749 per quintal, and maize at Rs 2,400 per quintal.
| Foodgrain | New Reserve Price (Rs/Quintal) |
| Wheat | 2,550 |
| Rice | 2,320-3,090 |
| Bajra | 2,775 |
| Ragi | 4,886 |
| Jowar | 3,749 |
| Maize | 2,400 |
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Source : The Indian Express
