Government Foodgrain Stock Crosses 746 Lakh Tonnes
30-Apr-2026 07:30 PM
New Delhi. The gross stock of foodgrains in the Central Pool rose to 746.33 lakh tonnes on April 28, 2026, up from just 602 lakh tonnes on April 1. This significant increase in total reserves was primarily driven by substantial wheat procurement during the month of April. According to available data, government warehouses held a wheat stock of 222 lakh tonnes on April 1, which surged to 390.27 lakh tonnes by April 28. Robust wheat procurement is currently ongoing; consequently, the stock is expected to rise further in the near future. This year, a procurement target of 345 lakh tonnes of wheat has been set.
As for rice, the stock in the Central Pool declined from 380 lakh tonnes on April 1 to 356.06 lakh tonnes on April 28. Government procurement of the Rabi-season paddy is set to gain momentum shortly. In any case, the current rice stock remains at a comfortable level, significantly exceeding the prescribed minimum buffer stock requirement. Rice supplies are currently being received from millers.
According to available data, as of March 1, 2026, the Central Pool held a total foodgrain stock of 600.96 lakh tonnes, comprising 364.74 lakh tonnes of rice and 236.22 lakh tonnes of wheat. At the beginning of April last year, a total foodgrain stock of 500.03 lakh tonnes was available, which included 382.09 lakh tonnes of rice and 117.94 lakh tonnes of wheat.
Similarly, on April 1, 2024, the foodgrain stock had dropped to a mere 376.59 lakh tonnes, comprising 301.57 lakh tonnes of rice and 75.02 lakh tonnes of wheat. Compared to April 1, 2024, the government's foodgrain stock has nearly doubled as of April 28, 2026. After a long hiatus, food grain stocks have once again surpassed the 700 lakh-tonne mark.
In view of the substantial availability within the Central Pool and prevailing low prices in wholesale markets, the government has doubled the wheat export quota from 25 lakh tonnes to 50 lakh tonnes, while the export quota for wheat products has already been raised from 5 lakh tonnes to 10 lakh tonnes.