Wheat procurement by government-run agencies has so far fallen in Punjab and Haryana, the country's second and third biggest producers of wheat, by 3.9 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively, an official said.
Together Punjab and Haryana contribute more than 70 per cent wheat to the total buying by the federal government agency Food Corporation of India (FCI).
"Government agencies in Haryana have purchased 6.293 million tonnes while private traders have purchased 2,691 tonnes till May 9, against last year's ... 6.802 million tonnes and private purchase of 2631 tonnes," Virender Kumar, wheat procurement in-charge at Haryana Food and Supplies Department, told Reuters on Monday.
Government data showed Haryana recorded a total arrival of 6.295 million tonnes till May 9, against 6.804 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
"The wheat arrivals in various markets of Haryana are falling rapidly since last week.
The average wheat arrivals have dipped to below 10,000 tonnes per day in Haryana markets and are swiftly showing downward trend day by day. We are now expecting the arrivals to settle near 6.4 million tonnes, against our earlier target of 7 million tonnes," said Kumar.
According to the figures issued by the Punjab Food and Supplies Department, procurement of wheat by state-run agencies stood at 10.09 million tonnes till May 9 as against 10.51 million tonnes last year.
Total procurement of wheat till May 9 in Punjab, which is the biggest contributor to the federal government's kitty, stood at 10.13 million tonnes as against 10.53 million tonnes in 2009/10.
Haryana had aimed to procure 7 million tonnes of wheat during 2010/11 marketing season as against 6.9 million tonnes 2009/10.
The Punjab government had estimated to procure around 11.5 million tonnes of wheat in Punjab in 2010/11 as against 10.7 million tonnes last year.
