India’s rice stocks hit record high, wheat stocks at four-year high

International Desk

Rice stocks in India’s government warehouses rose 14% from a year ago to an all-time high in early September, while wheat stocks also reached their highest level in four years, government data showed on Wednesday.

Record rice stocks will help India, the world’s largest rice exporter, boost exports, while ample wheat stocks will allow the government to increase supply to the market to control potential price increases later in the year.

According to official figures, rice (including paddy) stocks in the country stood at 48.2 million metric tons as of September 1, well above the government’s target of 13.5 million tons set for July 1. Wheat stocks on the same day stood at 33.3 million tons, higher than the government’s target of 27.6 million tons.

“Rice exports are increasing. India is going to export a record amount of rice this year. However, stocks are still high due to last year’s record harvest,” said a dealer at a New Delhi-based international trading company.

India accounts for about 40% of the world’s total rice exports. The country also lifted the last restrictions on rice exports in March 2025.

India’s rice exports this year are expected to rise by about 25% from last year to a record 22.5 million tonnes, according to the Rice Exporters Association forecast. However, the arrival of the new season’s paddy next month could pose a storage challenge for government agencies.

The government has been worried about low wheat stocks for the past three years. However, with sufficient wheat now available, the government will be able to release the grain in the market and control prices during the festive season (Dussehra and Diwali), when demand increases, says a Mumbai-based trader.