The Indian government on Friday approved the export of 2.5 million tonnes (mt) of wheat. It also allowed the shipment of an additional 0.5 million tons of wheat products and 0.5 million tons of sugar to “stabilize domestic markets and ensure profitable returns to producers.” The additional quantity will be over and above what is already allowed for export of 0.5 million tonnes of wheat products and 1.5 million tonnes of sugar.
“This calibrated decision has been taken after a comprehensive assessment of the current availability and price scenario, which reaffirms the government’s commitment to protecting the interests of farmers,” the food ministry said in a statement on Friday.
According to official data, the all-India average mandi (agriculture market yard) price of wheat fell to ₹2,527/quintal this month (February 1-12) from ₹2,587l in January, which traders attributed to bumper arrivals of the crop. In states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, where arrival of fresh wheat crop has started, rates have fallen to ₹85/quintal and ₹92/quintal respectively last month. The government has fixed the minimum support price for the new wheat crop at ₹2,585/quintal.
above global rates
It highlighted that wheat stocks with private entities in the 2025-26 season are about 7.5 million tonnes, which is about 3.2 million tonnes more than the same period last year. The ministry believes that this year-on-year increase is comfortable for domestic availability. Further, the total wheat availability in the central pool of Food Corporation of India (FCI) is estimated to be 18.2 million tonnes by April 1, 2026, when the next harvesting season begins. Officials said the export permission would not impact domestic food security requirements.
“At the current market price, there is no parity with the international price, and it is difficult to say how domestic prices will rise,” said Pramod Kumar, former president of the Roller Floor Millers Federation of India. Rajesh Pahadiya Jain, chief manager of KRIBHCO Agri, said that recently a Bangladeshi company had bought wheat of Russian/Ukrainian origin at $275 per tonne (C&F) on port delivery, whereas at the current market rate, the price of Indian wheat there would be $315 per tonne. But there is a possibility of export in Nepal, but the demand is not big, Jain said.
The area under wheat in the Rabi 2025-26 season has increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year as farmers have sown more with the support of assured MSP and procurement mechanism. The government is hoping to achieve a record wheat production target of 119 million tonnes this year.
‘Meet the Willing’ to get a permit
“Given the high stock availability, softening prices, expected higher production and the need to prevent distress sales during peak arrivals, the decision on exports will help stabilize domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation and strengthen farmers’ income,” a senior official said.
The decision to allow an additional 0.5 million tonnes of sugar based on the formula prepared earlier for permits issued for export of 1.5 million tonnes will not be available to all. In the current sugar season, permits will be given only to “willing sugar mills” till September 26. According to the information given by sugar mills to the Food Ministry, till January 31, about 1,97,000 tonnes of sugar has been exported, while 2,72,000 tonnes of sugar has been contracted for export.
“Additional export quantity of 0.5 million tonnes will be made available to willing sugar mills subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allotted quantity will be exported by June 30, 2026. The export quota will be allotted on a proportionate basis among the willing sugar mills, and the mills will submit their willingness within 15 days from the date of issue of the order. The export quota so allotted will not be changed or exchanged with any other sugar mill.” It said.
The ministry said the decision is expected to facilitate more sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.
While exports of wheat and wheat products have been opened for the first time after being banned in 2022, the government is regulating sugar exports through permits. It did not issue permits in the 2023-24 season (October-September), but allowed 1 million tonnes during the 2024-25 season. On the sugar front, trade sources said it may be difficult to export to India as global prices are hovering at a 5-1/2 year low of 13.53 US cents per pound (₹27,025 per tonne).
Published on February 13, 2026
