Adverse weather conditions in wheat have affected the crop due to a perceived shortage of good commodities

- Bhoo Bazar - Dilip Shah

- Widening gap between prices of weak-medium commodities and prices of good commodities: decision to export wheat to Afghanistan

The grain markets of the country have recently seen a reversal of trends. This year in various wheat producing states of the country due to unseasonal rains, storms, storms, hail etc. affecting the wheat crop, there is a shortage of good quality wheat in the grain markets and the difference between the prices of poor-medium and good wheat in the markets has increased significantly, according to market informants. said. In the Navi Mumbai wholesale grain market, the price of wheat has been seen as low as Rs.2700 per kg and as high as Rs.3700 to 4000 per kg. Meanwhile, grain markets in the country recently opened after various markets and wheat receipts increased after April 10-12. And due to this, the price of weak and medium type of wheat increased, and there was a retaliatory decrease of Rs.250 to 300 per kg. However, there were also indications that the prices of high-value goods remained high. Meanwhile, wheat imports in the ration shops in the country have decreased recently and due to this, there have been reports of an increase in the consumption of wheat and medium goods in open markets.

About 10 to 12 wheat producing states of the country have affected the quality of wheat due to inclement weather. Such a significant adverse effect on wheat crops was last seen in the year 1989 to 1990. There is procurement of flour mills but the issue of high moisture flour has also seen controversy. The purchase of wheat by the government has increased. The grain market is also keeping an eye on how the government changes the restrictions on wheat exports and export of wheat-based flour. If the target of wheat purchase by the government is met, the grain market informants are also hoping that the government may consider easing such restrictions after June 15 and especially exporting flour and flour subject to various conditions. After June 15, even under the National Food Security Scheme, the grain market is showing the possibility of increasing the supply of government wheat in the ration shops.

Due to severe heat last year and unseasonal rain this year, wheat crop has been affected in the country. In 2022, the production of wheat in the country was expected to be 1113 to 114 lakh tonnes but instead the actual production came to 1068 to 1069 lakh tonnes. This year wheat was planted in more areas in the country and the wheat crop was expected to be around 1120 to 1121 lakh tonnes. However, the situation has changed due to unseasonal rains. Out of the wheat procured by the government in the country, maximum wheat has been procured from Punjab and Haryana and this year unseasonal rainfall has been observed during March in Punjab and Haryana. According to the sources of Agriculture Department of Punjab, unseasonal rain has affected the crop in about 40 percent of the wheat cultivation area in Punjab. In Punjab, wheat was planted in an area of ​​about 34 to 35 lakh hectares, while it was planted in an area of ​​340 lakh hectares on a countrywide basis. The production of wheat in Punjab in 2021 was around 170 lakh tonnes which decreased to around 139 to 140 lakh tonnes in 2022. Now this year unseasonal rain has come. Due to this, the market experts were showing the possibility of wheat production in Punjab being less this year as well. The quality of wheat has also been affected. Moisture content in wheat supply has increased. New wheat receipts in Punjab have increased in the mandis and market sources indicate that the receipts are likely to increase further. Purchase of wheat by various government agencies has also increased in Punjab. However, Food Corporation of India's purchases in Punjab have been slower than expected. While the wheat crop in Punjab has been affected, there have also been reports of the Bharatiya Kisan Union taking the path of agitation with the demand of full minimum support price as compensation to the farmers in Punjab. Meanwhile, India has signed an agreement under the World Food Program and following this, India has recently decided to export wheat to Afghanistan.