The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an arm of the Commerce Ministry, has announced that the government will permit the export of an additional 2.5 million tonnes of wheat. This decision comes after the Centre’s approval on April 20, which considered the current comfortable stock levels and the prospect of another robust harvest.
With this decision, the total allowed wheat exports now reach 5 million tonnes and 1 million tonnes of wheat products. The DGFT clarified in a notification that while the export policy for wheat generally remains prohibited, the additional export of 2.5 million metric tonnes (LMT) has been authorized.
The notification indicated that further details regarding the export modalities will be provided in a subsequent order. It also reiterated that the existing policy, as stated in the DGFT notice dated May 13, 2022, remains in effect. This policy stipulates that exports may also be authorized based on government requests from other countries to address their food security needs, in addition to the newly permitted 2.5 million tonnes of wheat.
According to the Agriculture Ministry’s second advance estimate, the wheat production for the 2025-26 crop year (July-June) is projected at 120.2 million tonnes. This expected increase in production is attributed to a rise in wheat acreage, which is anticipated to reach 33.41 million hectares during the 2026 rabi season, up from 32.80 million hectares the previous year.
Earlier this year, in January, the government allowed the export of 500,000 tonnes of wheat products, followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes of wheat products and 2.5 million tonnes of wheat in February.
Published on April 28, 2026.
