Centre announces wheat export ban, amid surging prices

The Centre has announced that wheat exports are banned with immediate effect, to manage the overall food security of the country and to support the needs of the neighbouring and other vulnerable countries.

According to the Union government circular, export will be allowed in case of shipments where irrevocable letter of credit has been issued on or before date of notification.

Export will be allowed on basis of permission granted by government of India to other countries to meet their food security needs, and based on the request of the governments, sources reported.

The average price of wheat flour in retail markets have been surging, a nearly 13 per cent increase compared to the year-ago period.

The ministry monitors prices for 22 essential commodities—Rice, Wheat, Atta, Gram Dal, Tur (Arhar) Dal, Urad Dal , Moong Dal, Masur Dal, Sugar, Gur, Groundnut Oil, Mustard Oil, Vanaspati, Sunflower Oil, Soya Oil, Palm Oil, Tea, Milk, Potato, Onion, Tomato and Salt). Data for these commodities are collected from 167 market centres spread across the country.

India's wheat production stood at 109.59 million tonnes in the 2020-21 crop year (July-June).