Food security key to wheat export limits: Govt

New Delhi: The government will consider easing restrictions on the export of wheat products only after assessing this season's planting and production outlook, food minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. The flour milling industry had requested the government to permit shipments of up to 1 million tonnes of processed wheat products such as maida, suji and atta. At present, exports of wheat flour are restricted, with shipments allowed only under the Advance Import Authorisation scheme.

"We will evaluate availability and food security concerns before arriving at any decision," Joshi said, addressing the annual conference of the Roller Flour Millers' Federation of India in Delhi.

The federation, which represents hundreds of millers, has urged the government to provide long-term clarity on its wheat policy, particularly the Open Market Sale Policy that governs state releases of grain. With government stocks largely comfortable, the federation said phased liberalisation of exports would give farmers better prices and allow Indian producers to reclaim market share abroad.


"Allowing free movement of wheat-based products would help us tap global demand and restore India's position as a reliable supplier," the federation said in a statement.