Wheat Stocks Rise as Consumption Lags Behind Production

06-Apr-2026 04:28 PM

New Delhi. In line with estimates from the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected that India's wheat production will rise from 113.29 million tonnes in the 2024-25 season to reach 117.95 million tonnes in the 2025-26 season.

Prior to this, wheat production in India was estimated at 110.55 million tonnes in the 2023-24 season, 104 million tonnes in 2022-23, and 109.59 million tonnes in the 2021-22 season. Over the past four to five years, domestic wheat production has witnessed a consistent increase. The Union Ministry of Agriculture has estimated that wheat production during the current year will reach an all-time high of 120.21 million tonnes.

According to the USDA report, during the 2025-26 season, India's total wheat supply—comprising an opening stock of 11.80 million tonnes and a production volume of 117.95 million tonnes (which includes imports from abroad)—reached a cumulative total. Of this, domestic consumption is estimated at 112.51 million tonnes, while exports are projected at 0.25 million tonnes, leaving a surplus stock of 17.24 million tonnes remaining at the end of the marketing season.

The Rabi marketing season for 2026-27 officially commenced on April 1st. The arrival of new wheat produce, along with associated trading activities, is already underway and is expected to continue, more or less, until the end of June. This season, the area under wheat cultivation has expanded by 0.613 million hectares; however, weather conditions have recently become somewhat erratic. Consequently, there are apprehensions regarding potential minor damage to the crop. In certain regions, the quality of the produce is also being adversely affected.