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The central government has tightened certain limits on retailers, wholesalers, big chain retailers and similar entities for stocking wheat. The measure is part of the various measures in place to ensure sufficient supplies and proper pricing of the food grain for the end-consumer. The Department of Food and Public Distribution, which functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, tracks the availability of various essential items to protect the interests of the consumer.
The new stock limits have been imposed to "manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation", said the department.
In the crop year 2024-25, total wheat production in the country was recorded at 1,175.07 LMT.
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The central government has procured 300.35 LMT of wheat through state agencies or food cooperative FCI in the rabi marketing season 2025-26.
This amount is sufficient to meet the requirements of PDS, OWS and other market interventions, the department noted.
The department is "maintaining a close watch over the stock position of wheat to control prices and ensure easy availability in the country".
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New wheat storage limit rules
The new limits -- applicable to retailers, traders, wholesalers, big chain operators and processors -- are summarised below:
| Entities | Existing wheat stock limit | Revised wheat stock limit |
| Trader/ Wholesaler | 3,000 MT | 2,000 MT |
| Retailer | 10 MT per retail outlet | 8 MT for each Retail outlet |
| Big Chain Retailer | upto 10 MT for each retail outlet subject to maximum quantity of (10 multiplied by total no. of outlets) MT. This will be the maximum stock that can be held at all their retail outlets and depots put together | upto 8 MT for each retail outlet subject to maximum quantity of (8 multiplied by total no. of outlets) MT. This will be the maximum stock that can be held at all their retail outlets and depots put together |
| Processor | 70% of Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by remaining months of FY 2025-26 | 60% of Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by remaining months of FY 2025-26 |
These limits will be in force across states and UTs, till March 31, 2026.
Key things to know about new wheat stock limits
All wheat stocking entities are required to declare or update their stock positions every Friday, using the wheat stock portal: foodstock.dfpd.gov.in.
Any entity found to have not registered on the portal or violates the stock limits will be subject to suitable punitive action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act,1955.
Entities found to be keeping stocks larger than the permissable limits will be required to submit the additional amounts within 15 days of this notification.
"Officials of central and state governments will be closely monitoring enforcement of these stock limits to ensure that no artificial scarcity of wheat is created in the country," said the department.
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