Wheat production in the world’s second-biggest grower is expected to rise to 105.8 million tons in 2023-24 from 102.9 million a year earlier on higher acreage and better yields, according to the Roller Flour Millers’ Federation.
- The acreage rose to almost 34m hectares from 33.6m hectares, according to Agriwatch, a researcher hired by the millers’ group to survey farmers during January and March in the main growing regions
- Yields 3.1 tons/hectare vs 3.06 tons year earlier
- India will buy 31m-32m tons of wheat from 2023-24 crop for state reserves, compared with 26.2m tons a year earlier, Food Corp. of India Chairman Ashok Meena told reporters on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the millers’ group
- That will be enough to meet demand for welfare programs and open market sales to control prices, if needed
- Purchases totaled 1m tons as of April 7, compared with 700,000 tons a year ago
- NOTE: The government needs 18.5m tons of wheat annually for its welfare programs