The central government on Thursday tightened the limit of wheat storage for wholesalers, retailers and processors to keep prices under control. The government also said that there is adequate store of food grains in the country. The harvesting of the new wheat crop begins at the end of March. The government said that as per the revised storage limit implemented till 31 March, traders/wholesalers can keep only 250 tonnes of wheat. According to the earlier criteria, the limit was 1,000 tonnes. The storage range for retailers has been reduced from five tons to four tons.
Information will have to be given every Friday
An official statement said, “To control the wheat prices, the Central Government has decided to modify the storage limit of wheat implemented by 31 March, 2025.” In the context of large chain retailers, the storage range for each outlet will be four tons. Similarly, wheat processors can keep 50 percent of the monthly installed capacity (MIC) by April 2025. All units storing wheat are required to register on the wheat stock limit portal and report the status of stock every Friday. The Department of Food and Public Distribution said that it is keeping a close watch on the status of wheat stock to control prices and ensure availability in the country.
Prices of edible oils increased
On the other hand, due to the prices of indigenous oilseeds being less than the MSP, farmers brought less supply to the mandis and due to the demand of upcoming festivals, all the oilseed prices were strengthened in the domestic oilseed market on Thursday. The Malaysia exchange has a slight decline while the Chicago Exchange is also in the rise. Market sources said that the farmers are bringing their produce in the mandis in small quantities amid the price of indigenous oilseeds. Its consumption is being affected due to high sunflower prices in the country. Similarly, the price of pamoline oil is higher than mustard and soybean this time. In such a situation, there is pressure on cottonseed oil and the demand for this oil is increasing among the salty companies.
