Centre lifts wheat export curbs to boost farmer returns

New Delhi: The government on Monday lifted the export ban on wheat and its products with immediate effect and said the decision is aimed at boosting farmers’ income amid depressed domestic prices.Early this year, the government had allowed export of 50 lakh tonnes of wheat and 10 lakh tonnes of wheat products. India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer, banned wheat exports in May 2022 as part of measures to control rising domestic prices. “The export policy of wheat….is revised from prohibited to free with immediate effect,” according to notifications issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

The government has also removed the export ban on wheat flour and other products such as maida, semolina, and wholemeal atta, as per other notifications. When asked about the decision, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra told PTI, “Export ban has been lifted in the interest of farmers. The domestic wheat prices are depressed currently. Allowing exports will increase the domestic market prices and encourage good sowing in the coming rabi season, and farmers will get better prices.”

On the impact of consumer prices, Chopra said there is adequate and bumper stock of wheat available in the country, sufficient to meet the demand and check prices. The export of wheat, which was allowed earlier through issue of licence, has now been simplified, he added. Out of 60 lakh tonnes allowed earlier, 2.5 lakh tonnes have been shipped so far, the secretary said.