**Executive Summary**
The Government of India has approved the export of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat and an additional 5 LMT of wheat products to stabilize domestic markets and ensure farmer returns, as per the PIB Delhi press release on February 13, 2026. Additionally, it permits the export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar, conditional on exporters meeting specific requirements by June 30, 2026. Sugar mills have 15 days from the date of order issuance to submit their willingness for export quota allocation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Wheat Exports:**
* Approved export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT of wheat products.
* Decision based on assessment of wheat availability and price scenario.
* Wheat stock with private entities for 2025-26 is approximately 75 LMT, 32 LMT higher than the previous year.
* Wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT as of April 1, 2026.
* Wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 increased to 334.17 lakh hectares.
* **Sugar Exports:**
* Approved export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar for the Sugar Season 2025-26.
* Previously, the government had permitted 15 LMT of sugar export via order dated 14.11.2025.
* Sugar mills have exported about 1.97 LMT of sugar up to 31.01.2026, with approximately 2.72 LMT contracted for export.
* Sugar mills must export at least 70% of their allocated quantity by June 30, 2026.
* Export quota will be allocated pro-rata to willing mills.
* Mills must submit their willingness within 15 days of the order issuance.
* Export quota cannot be swapped or exchanged.
**Impact Analysis**
**Wheat Farmers**
* **Impact**: Stabilized domestic prices and enhanced income opportunities due to permitted exports.
* **Action Required**: No specific action required.
**Sugar Mills**
* **Impact**: Opportunity to export additional sugar and manage surplus availability.
* **Action Required**: Submit willingness to export within 15 days of the order issuance, and ensure at least 70% of allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.
**Domestic Consumers**
* **Impact**: Ensured food security due to sufficient wheat availability in the central pool.
* **Action Required**: No specific action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Wheat and Sugar Export Policy: The Government of India's decision to allow export of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products, and an additional 5 LMT of sugar
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: The ministry responsible for approving and overseeing the wheat and sugar exports
Food Corporation of India (FCI): Referenced as part of the central pool that will have 182 LMT wheat available
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Government approves wheat exports and allows
additional wheat product and sugar exports
Posted On: 13 FEB 2026 3:39PM by PIB Delhi
I. The Government of India has approved the export of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat along
with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products, taking a decisive and farmer-centric step to stabilise
domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers. This calibrated decision has been
taken after a comprehensive assessment of the current availability and price scenario, reaffirming
the Government’s commitment to protecting farmers’ interests.
Wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is
nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year. This substantial year-on-year
increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on 1st April 2026, total
wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT thus ensuring that export
permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements.
Wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh
hectares last year. This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP
and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest.
In view of higher stock availability, softening prices, expected higher production, and the need to prevent
distress sales during peak arrivals, the Government’s decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5
LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock
rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while national food security.
II. Along with this, to facilitate sugar exports, Government of India has decided to allow export of an
additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. Earlier,
the Government had permitted export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26
vide order dated 14.11.2025.
As per information furnished by sugar mills, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to
31.01.2026. In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills
as on date. The additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills
subject to the condition that at least 70% of their allocated quantity is exported by 30 June 2026. The
export quota will be allocated on a pro-rata basis among willing sugar mills, and mills shall submit their
willingness within 15 days from the date of issuance of the order. The export quota so allocated shall not
be swapped or exchanged with any other sugar mill.
This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar
availability in the country.
*****
IA(Release ID: 2227493) Visitor Counter : 1050
Read this release in: Urdu , Marathi , Gujarati , Kannada , Malayalam