Govt tightens stock limit on wheat as prices rule firm ahead of harvest

Pune: The government has tightened the stock limit on wheat as prices continue to rule firm, while high temperatures have increased worries about the output of the upcoming rabi harvest. The stock limit on wholesalers have been reduced by 75%, while the stock limit on retailers and big chain retailers has been cut by 20%.

In order to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, the Government of India imposed stock limits on wheat.

"As part of continuous efforts to moderate prices of wheat, central government has decided to revise the wheat stock limit applicable until 31st March 2025," said government in an order.


The Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2024 was issued on 24 June 2024 and revised on 09 September 2024 & on 11 December 2024 and was applicable for all States and Union Territories.

Government of India keeps a close watch on the prices of wheat and takes suitable appropriate interventions to ensure price stability for the consumers in the country.

The traders and wholesalers can now hold 250 tonnes of wheat instead of earlier limit of 1000 tonnes.

The retailers and big chain retailers can hold only 4 tonnes for each retail outlet instead of 5 tonnes earlier. The stock limit on processors has been kept unchanged.

"A total production of 1132 LMT of wheat was recorded during Rabi 2024 and there is ample availability of wheat in the country," said the government, in the order that reduced the stocking limit.

In case the stocks held by above entities are higher than the new prescribed limit, they shall have to bring the same to the prescribed stock limits within 15 days of issue of the notification, the release said.