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Wheat procurement by government agencies has come to an end in the major sourcing states, for a total of 27.6 million tonnes, slightly more than last year’s 25.09 mt.
The opening stock in April was 17 mt. After meeting the annual public distribution requirement of 30 mt, the opening balance might be 14 mt in April 2015, say Food Corporation of India sources. With apprehensions of a monsoon deficit due to the El Niño effect, a 14 mt buffer indicates a comfortable stock, he added.
Export demand is likely to be subdued as the rupee has been appreciating against the dollar. The procurement agencies have also improved scientific storage, so the government might not encourage export to dispose of stock to save it from damage, said the official.
Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh registered a total procurement of 25.2 mt. Among the other important contributing states, only Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are further open to procurement, till the end of this month. Since arrivals are low, they are likely to add only up to 200,000 tonnes, said the official.
The procurement target envisaged by the Union food ministry for 2014-15 was 31 mt. Punjab bought 11.6 mt; the target was 11 mt. Madhya Pradesh’s target was eight mt; it procured 7.1 mt. Haryana’s target was 6.5 mt and it procured 6.49 mt, for the central pool. Rajasthan surpassed the target of 1.8 mt; it has got 1.96 mt till now. Procurement is still on there but arrivals are now at a tepid pace. Uttar Pradesh has procured a meagre 40,000 tonnes against the target of three mt, apparently due to active participation of private traders. All other states met their targets.
