Wheat harvest likely to to be bumper, says agri minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
India expects a bumper wheat harvest in 2024-25 despite temperature concerns, says Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Wheat sowing has increased to 32 million hectares, surpassing last year’s 31.56 Mha. The government has tightened stock limits to stabilize prices, while wheat procurement begins April 1. The official production estimate is yet to be released.
Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday dismissed concerns over potential wheat yield losses due to above-normal daytime temperatures, stating that the country is on track for a bumper harvest of the key rabi crop.“We will have bumper wheat production this year as crop health is good,” Chouhan said, adding that the standing wheat crop is in good condition so far, with normal day-night temperatures.
However, Chouhan did not provide an official production estimate for the 2024-25 crop year (July-June). Last year, the government had set a target of 115 million tonne (MT) of wheat production for the current crop year.
According to the agriculture ministry, wheat output for the 2023-24 crop year was estimated at 113.29 MT. The official wheat estimate for 2024-25 is expected to be released soon. Wheat sowing this season has increased to 32 million hectares (Mha), compared to 31.56 Mha last year, exceeding the five-year average sown area
.In the past three years, wheat harvests have been adversely impacted by excessive heat before harvest and unseasonal rains in March. Wheat inflation stood at 8.8% in January 2025 (year-on-year) but has remained in single digits since August 2023.
Traders said that February-March is typically a lean supply period for wheat, according to traders.The food ministry emphasised that wheat availability is sufficient, stating, “The government is keeping a close watch on wheat prices and takes appropriate interventions to ensure price stability for consumers.”On Thursday, the government tightened stock limits on wheat for wholesalers, retailers, and processors to curb price increases. The government said traders and wholesalers can keep only 250 tonne of wheat as against the earlier norm of 1,000 tonne according to revised stock limit to be applicable till March 31.
Trades sources said while global wheat prices are lower than domestic prices, the mandi prices are likely to rule around Rs 2600/quintal once new crop starts arriving as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have announced a bonus of Rs 125/quintal over the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2425/quintal announced by the centre for 2024-25 rabi marketing season (April-June).
At present, FCI has 15.5 MT of wheat stock against the buffer of 7.46 MT for April 1. Under the open market sale scheme commenced last month, over 1.5 MT of wheat have been sold to bulk buyers such as flour millers and processors through weekly e-auctions.The wheat procurement by agencies would commence from April 1.
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Source : Financial Express
