Government Wheat Procurement Surpasses 343 Lakh Tonnes

27-May-2026 10:52 AM

New Delhi. Official data reveals that government procurement of wheat for the Central Pool has surged rapidly, reaching 343.60 lakh tonnes—an increase of 15.6 percent compared to last year and the highest level recorded in the last four years. The Union Ministry of Food had set a target to procure a total of 345 lakh tonnes of wheat this year, and actual procurement is expected to surpass this figure very soon.

The situation in Madhya Pradesh is particularly interesting. Initially, a target of procuring 78 lakh tonnes of wheat was set for the state. During the early stages, the pace of procurement was so sluggish that achieving this target seemed unlikely.

However, the pace of procurement subsequently accelerated rapidly, prompting the government to raise the procurement target by 22 lakh tonnes, setting it at 100 lakh tonnes. Now, even this revised target appears modest; consequently, the state government has requested the Centre to further increase the procurement target. The deadline for wheat procurement in the state is also being extended periodically.

It appears that farmers in Madhya Pradesh initially anticipated robust wheat procurement by traders and flour millers at higher prices, leading them to attempt to withhold their stocks. However, when private procurement remained sluggish for an extended period and wholesale market prices failed to rise, farmers began selling their wheat to government agencies in quick succession.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are currently receiving a price of ₹2,625 per quintal for their wheat. This figure comprises the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹2,585 per quintal—as declared by the Centre—along with a bonus of ₹40 per quintal fixed by the state government.