Government stated that there is no plan to import wheat into India and country has sufficient stocks to meet domestic requirements.
Department of Food and Public Distribution clarified this in a tweet on reports about a possible import of wheat by the government.
Media reports had claimed that government is likely to buy wheat from overseas due to shortage of wheat and rising prices.
As per Food Corporation of India website, the stock of wheat in the central pool is 266.45 lakh tonnes as of 21 August, 2022. While rice stock is 279.52 lakh tonnes as of 21 August, 2022.
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry had banned the export of wheat on May 13, 2022 amid continued inflationary pressure and concerned over prevalent heat waves. The government hasn’t yet revoked the order and the ban of wheat export is still effective.
The government had taken the step to maintain the food security in India from the challenges arising out of a series of circumstances including Russia-Ukraine conflict and damaging of wheat crops due to scores of heat waves across Northern India.