Highest Government Procurement of Wheat Since 2021

02-Jun-2026 05:50 PM

New Delhi: Government procurement of wheat for the Central Pool has surged to nearly 350 lakh tonnes, marking the highest level recorded in the last five years. Prior to this, a record 433 lakh tonnes of wheat was procured during the 2021-22 Rabi Marketing Season. Subsequently, the procurement trend remained erratic.

However, in this year's total procurement, the share of 'URS' (Relaxed Specifications) wheat exceeds that of grain possessing standard average quality. In states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, unseasonal rainfall, storms, and localized hailstorms compromised the quality of the wheat grains.

In light of this, and acting upon the special requests of state governments, the Centre was compelled to relax the quality specifications and terms for wheat procurement, leading to the substantial purchase of grain that was discolored, lacked luster, or consisted of broken and flattened kernels.

URS-grade wheat accounted for 236 lakh tonnes—or 67 percent—of the total government procurement. Only the wheat procured in Madhya Pradesh was of standard or good quality; the procurement process remains ongoing in that state. Limited government procurement of wheat is also continuing in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, a process expected to persist for some time.