Centre imposes wheat stock limits until 31 March 2026
The Centre imposed stock limits on wheat for traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors in all states and UTs, valid until 31 March 2026, through an order issued on 27 May 2025, the Food Ministry said on 29 May 2025.
Summary
The Government of India has imposed stock limits on wheat for traders/wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors in all states and UTs to manage food security and prevent hoarding, the Food Ministry said on 29 May 2025. The Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2025, issued on 27 May 2025, applies until 31 March 2026. Limits are 3,000 tonnes for traders/wholesalers, 10 tonnes per outlet for retailers, up to 10 tonnes per outlet for big chain retailers, and 70% of monthly installed capacity times the remaining months of 2025-26 for processors. Entities must declare stock every Friday on the wheat stock portal.
Key facts
- Order
- Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2025, issued 27 May 2025
- Valid till
- 31 March 2026, all States/UTs
- Traders/wholesalers
- 3,000 MT
- Retailers
- 10 MT per outlet
- Big chain retailers
- Up to 10 MT per outlet (10 × outlets max)
- Processors
- 70% of MIC × remaining months of FY 2025-26
- Reporting
- Every Friday on wheat stock portal
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Until when are the wheat stock limits imposed by the Centre in May 2025 applicable?
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Correct answer: B — 31 March 2026
The Food Ministry said the order is applicable until 31 March 2026 in all States and UTs.
What is the wheat stock limit for traders/wholesalers under the order of 27 May 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 3,000 MT
The stock limit for traders/wholesalers is 3,000 MT; retailers have 10 MT per outlet.
Consider the following statements about the wheat stock limits of May 2025: 1. Retailers may hold 10 MT of wheat for each retail outlet. 2. Processors may hold 50% of their monthly installed capacity multiplied by the remaining months of FY 2025-26. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The processors' limit is 70% (not 50%) of monthly installed capacity times the remaining months of FY 2025-26.