Government Rice Stocks Expected to Rise Due to Improved Procurement
06-May-2026 06:14 PM
New Delhi. The government procurement marketing season for Kharif paddy, which commenced in October 2025, formally concluded on March 31, 2026. Subsequently, the procurement of Rabi-season paddy commenced in April 2026 and is currently ongoing.
Official statistics indicate that between October 2025 and April 2026, approximately 50 million tonnes of paddy—equivalent to rice—were procured across various states; this figure represents an increase of about 6 percent compared to the quantity procured during the corresponding period of the 2024-25 season. During the Rabi marketing season, 1.21 million tonnes of paddy—equivalent to rice—were procured. In Telangana alone, paddy procurement exceeded 1 million tonnes, against a total target of 9 million tonnes set for the Rabi marketing season in the state.
At the national level, the Central Government has set a procurement target of 56.66 million tonnes of rice for the entire 2025-26 marketing season (October–September); this includes a target of 48.7 million tonnes for the Kharif season and 7.96 million tonnes for the Rabi season. It is noteworthy that during the full 2024-25 marketing season, 54.52 million tonnes of rice were procured for the Central Pool.
In the current 2025-26 marketing season, total government procurement of rice had reached 49.86 million tonnes by April 30, 2026—a figure higher than the 47.02 million tonnes procured during the corresponding period of the previous season. The procurement process remains ongoing. In addition to the Kharif and Rabi seasons, paddy cultivation is also undertaken in the country during the summer, or 'Zaid,' season. This year, the area under summer paddy cultivation has reached 3 million hectares, which is slightly lower than the acreage recorded last year. The cultivation process for this crop has now been largely completed.
A substantial stock of rice is currently available in the Central Pool. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is regularly receiving supplies of Custom-Milled Rice (CMR) from millers. The transplantation of Kharif-season paddy is scheduled to commence in June.