The Central government has placed a ban on wheat export with immediate effect in the wake of the grave situation of less than estimated domestic wheat production and an excessive global price hike after a spike in demand following the Russia-Ukraine war.
Earlier, the Centre had said it was happy that the farmers were getting good returns for their produce as India had exported almost 11 lakh metric tonnes of wheat till April.
The government also claimed that it was committed to provide food security to its own population, its neighbours and also some vulnerable countries and hence brought in the amendment in relevant sections of the Export Policy.
Since the new wheat came in the market, a large number of farmers had been selling their produce to private traders who in turn were sending it to exporters in the face of the huge demand.
Both Russia and Ukraine have been the largest exporters of wheat in the international markets. Due to massive heat waves in March and April, the estimated food grain production had revised to 1,050 LMT against the earlier estimate of 1,113 LMT. Indian traders had been buying wheat directly from the farmers at increased prices leading to a shortfall in government procurement too.
