Government procurement of wheat slows down after reaching above 262 lakh tonnes

28-May-2024 06:26 PM

New Delhi . At the national level, government procurement of wheat for the central pool had reached 262.48 lakh tonnes last week itself, which was more than last year's entire procurement of 262 lakh tonnes. But now the arrival of this important food grain in the mandis and government purchasing centers is decreasing rapidly.

Only 6 thousand tonnes of wheat arrived in Punjab on May 25, whereas a little more than 124 lakh tonnes of wheat has been purchased there, but still it is far behind the fixed target of 130 lakh tonnes.

In Haryana too, a little more than 71 lakh tonnes of wheat has been purchased, which is less than the fixed target of 80 lakh tonnes.

The procurement situation in Madhya Pradesh is considered to be worse where less than 50 lakh tonnes of wheat has been purchased as compared to the set target of 80 lakh tonnes.

Although more wheat has been purchased in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh than last year, it is far behind the target.

According to the industry-trade sector, firstly the actual domestic production of wheat has been much less than the government estimate and secondly, due to the possibility of rising market prices in the coming months,

big farmers are trying to suppress its stock. In view of this, the total actual government procurement of wheat may fall short of the revised target by about 10 million tonnes but will be able to meet the domestic needs.