The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Commerce Ministry, has notified the government’s decision to permit export of an additional 25 lakh tonnes of wheat, citing a comfortable domestic stock position and expectations of another strong harvest.
The move follows the Centre’s approval on April 20, which takes the total permitted wheat exports to 50 lakh tonnes. In addition, exports of 10 lakh tonnes of wheat products have also been allowed so far.
Despite the relaxation, the DGFT clarified that the overall export policy for wheat remains “prohibited.” However, limited exports are being permitted under specific government authorisation.
“The export policy of wheat continues to remain prohibited. However, export of an additional 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat is permitted,” the DGFT said in its notification, adding that detailed modalities will be issued separately.
The notification also reiterated that exports can continue beyond the permitted quota if approved by the Government of India to meet the food security needs of other countries, based on formal requests from their governments.
India’s wheat production is estimated at 120.2 million tonnes for the 2025–26 crop year (July–June), according to the Agriculture Ministry’s second advance estimates. The higher output is attributed to an increase in acreage, which rose to 33.41 million hectares in the 2026 rabi season from 32.80 million hectares a year earlier.
Earlier this year, the government had already allowed exports of 5 lakh tonnes of wheat products in January, followed by another 5 lakh tonnes of wheat products and 25 lakh tonnes of wheat in February.
The latest decision is expected to help manage surplus stocks while supporting select export commitments without compromising domestic food security.
