Posted on March, 4, 2025 at 10:04 am
An association of Indian wheat flour millers is asking the government to reduce the duty on wheat imports from 40% to 5% to 10% to increase wheat availability in the country, The Indian Express reported.
Navneet Chitlangia, president of the Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India, told reporters at an event in Panaji, Goa, that the government should reconsider the duty after it reassesses the crop size, procurement and the remaining quantity in the market.
“Even if 2 million to 3 million tonnes of wheat are imported, then the narrative of India having a low crop size will be ended,” he told reporters. “It needs to be ended because our industry goes through a very difficult time… That’s why we are asking the government that post-procurement, you should rationalize the 40% duty on wheat imports. Bring it down to zero or whatever you want.”
India increased the duty on wheat imports from 30% to 40% in April 2019, and it has remained at that level since.
Chitlangia said the industry estimates wheat output to reach 110 million tonnes during the ongoing 2024-25 winter season.
Last year the federation estimated wheat output at 106 million tonnes, while government estimates were at 113 million tonnes. In the past two years, the government has procured 26 million tonnes of wheat for the central pool.
For the upcoming winter season, it has set a target of 31 million tonnes. At the beginning of March, the wheat stock in the central pool was 14.41 million tonnes, which is well above the April 1 buffer norm of 7.46 million tonnes, the news agency said.
The federation also has demanded the establishment of a wheat board to promote research activities and support the all-round development of farmers as well as processing industries.
Source: World Grain