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India lifts export ban on wheat and wheat flour products
India has lifted its long-standing ban on wheat and wheat product exports, effective immediately. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued notifications reclassifying the export of wheat, durum wheat, and various wheat-based products—including atta, maida, and semolina—from ‘Prohibited’ to ‘Free’.
The decision follows a period of restrictions implemented in May 2022 to safeguard domestic food security and control inflation amid global market volatility caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While the government had previously allowed limited, quota-based exports earlier in 2026, this new policy removes those restrictions entirely.
Policymakers cited robust domestic production as the primary driver for the change. India’s recent wheat harvest reached a record 120.6 million tonnes, and total foodgrain production for 2025-26 hit an all-time high of 376.563 million tonnes. Officials noted that the move is intended to support farmers by improving market prices and returns, while also contributing to global supply stability at a time when Black Sea grain flows face ongoing disruptions.
Entities
Directorate General of Foreign Trade · India · Ministry of Commerce and Industry · Modi government · Sanjeev Chopra
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] India's total foodgrain production for 2025-26 was 376.563 million tonnes. www.ibtimes.co.in · www.orissapost.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] In February, the government allowed limited exports of 2.5 million metric tonnes of wheat and 0.5 million metric tonnes of wheat products. cryptobriefing.com · www.orissapost.com · www.ibtimes.co.in · news24online.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] The export lifting includes durum wheat, wheat flour (atta), maida, and semolina. desitalkchicago.com · www.ibtimes.co.in · www.orissapost.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · agrobiznes.ro · +4 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] India's recent wheat harvest reached 120.6 million tonnes. agrobiznes.ro · www.ibtimes.co.in · www.deccanchronicle.com · news24online.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The government had previously imposed wheat export restrictions in May 2022. cryptobriefing.com · www.ibtimes.co.in · www.orissapost.com · www.hindimilap.com · news24online.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has reclassified wheat and wheat flour exports from ‘Prohibited’ to ‘Free’. agrobiznes.ro · desitalkchicago.com · cryptobriefing.com · www.ibtimes.co.in · www.orissapost.com · +5 more