The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has imposed wheat stock limits on Traders/Wholesalers, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers, and Processors across all States and Union Territories until March 31, 2026. This measure, effective from May 27, 2025, through the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Amendment Order, 2025, aims to manage food security and prevent hoarding and speculation. Stock limits are set at 3000 MT for Traders/Wholesalers, 10 MT per retail outlet for Retailers, up to 10 MT per retail outlet (capped by the number of outlets) for Big Chain Retailers, and 70% of Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by the remaining months of FY 2025-26 for Processors. All entities must declare and update their stock positions weekly on a designated portal. Non-compliance will result in punitive action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Entities exceeding the prescribed limits have 15 days to comply. Central and State Government officials will monitor enforcement. The government has procured 298.17 LMT of wheat as of May 27, 2025, to meet public distribution and other scheme requirements. The Department of Food and Public Distribution is closely monitoring wheat stocks to control prices and ensure availability.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food Public Distribution Centre: The government ministry responsible for imposing wheat stock limits.
TradersWholesalers, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers and Processors: The entities subject to the wheat stock limits.
States and UTs: Refers to all States and Union Territories of India, where the stock limits are applicable.
31st March, 2026: The date until which the stock limit is applicable.
29 MAY 2025: The date the notification was posted.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - the source of the notification.
Government of India: The governing body that imposed the stock limits.
The Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Amendment Order, 2025: The order issued regarding the stock limits.
27 May 2025: The date the Amendment Order was issued.
TradersWholesaler: One of the entities subject to the wheat stock limits, with a limit of 3000 MT.
Retailer: One of the entities subject to the wheat stock limits, with a limit of 10 MT per retail outlet.
Big Chain Retailer: One of the entities subject to the wheat stock limits, with a limit of up to 10 MT for each retail outlet, subject to a maximum quantity.
Processors: One of the entities subject to the wheat stock limits, with a limit of 70% of Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by remaining months of FY 2025-26.
MIC: Monthly Installed Capacity
FY 202526: Fiscal Year 2025-2026
https:evegoils.nic.inwsplogin: The initial wheat stock portal where entities must declare their stock position.
https:foodstock.dfpd.gov.in: The future wheat stock portal where entities will declare their stock position.
Section 6 7 of Essential Commodities Act,1955: The legal basis for punitive action against entities violating the stock limits.
Central and State Governments: The government bodies responsible for monitoring enforcement of the stock limits.
Central Government: The government body that procured wheat through State Agencies/FCI.
298.17 LMT: The quantity of wheat procured by the Central Government up to 27.05.2025.
27.05.2025: The date up to which the central government procured 298.17 LMT wheat.
State AgenciesFCI: The entities through which the Central Government procured wheat.
PDS, OWS and other market intervention schemes: The schemes for which the procured wheat is sufficient.
Department of Food and Public Distribution: The department maintaining a close watch over the stock position of wheat.
Nihi Sharma: Name of the individual associated with the release, potentially the author or contact person.
2132343: Release ID number.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Centre imposes wheat stock limits on
Traders/Wholesalers, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers
and Processors
The stock limit is applicable in all States and UTs
until 31st March, 2026
Posted On: 29 MAY 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi
In order to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, the
Government of India has imposed stock limits on wheat applicable to Traders/Wholesalers, Retailers, Big
Chain Retailers and Processors in all States and Union Territories. The Removal of Licensing
Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2025
is issued on 27 May 2025 and is applicable until 31st March 2026 for all States and Union Territories.
The Wheat Stock limit are as under:
(i) Traders/Wholesaler: 3000 MT;
(ii) Retailer: 10 MT for each Retail outlet.
(iii) 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.
(iv) Processors: 70% of Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by remaining months of FY
2025-26.
All wheat stocking entities are required to declare/ update the stock position on every Friday on wheat stock
portal (https://evegoils.nic.in/wsp/login which will be migrated in due course of time to
https://foodstock.dfpd.gov.in). Any entity which is found to have not registered on the portal or violates the
stock limits will be subject to suitable punitive action under Section 6 & 7 of Essential Commodities
Act,1955.
In case the stocks held by above entities are higher than the above prescribed limit, they shall have to bring
the same to the prescribed stock limits within 15 days of issue of the 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.
Central Government has procured 298.17 LMT wheat (upto 27.05.2025) through State Agencies/FCI which
is sufficient to meet requirement of PDS, OWS and other market intervention schemes. The Department of
Food and Public Distribution 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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Nihi Sharma(Release ID: 2132343)