Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Government Removes Export Curbs on Wheat Flour, Maida, Semolina
The Indian government has removed limits on exporting several wheat products.
These include flour, maida and semolina.
This means companies can now export them without the earlier restrictions.
India had introduced the restrictions in 2022 because wheat prices were rising and global supplies were disrupted.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict increased demand for wheat from India.
The government said the restrictions were needed to protect food supplies for the country’s 1.4 billion people.
Recently, officials said wheat stocks had improved.
Foodgrain and wheat production were also higher than the previous year.
The government moved exports of atta, maida, semolina, wholemeal atta and resultant atta from prohibited to free.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued the policy notification on Monday.
India had restricted wheat and wheat-product exports in 2022 to protect food security and contain prices.
In February, the government permitted exports of 25 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 5 lakh metric tonnes of wheat products.
Foodgrain production reached 376.563 million tonnes in 2025-26, while wheat production was estimated at 120.657 million tonnes.
- Who
- The Government of India and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- What
- Export restrictions were removed for wheat flour, maida, semolina, wholemeal atta and resultant atta.
- When
- The notification was issued on Monday; the earlier restrictions were imposed in 2022.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The government cited improved stock availability, while the original restrictions aimed to protect domestic food security and contain rising prices.
- Policy change
- Exports of specified wheat products moved from the prohibited category to the free category.
- Covered products
- Wheat or meslin flour, maida, semolina, wholemeal atta and resultant atta.
- Original wheat restriction
- Wheat exports were changed from free to prohibited on May 13, 2022.
- Flour restriction
- Restrictions on wheat flour exports were extended in August 2022.
- February export allowance
- The government allowed 25 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 5 lakh metric tonnes of wheat products.
- 2025-26 foodgrain production
- Estimated at 376.563 million tonnes, up from 357.732 million tonnes the previous year.
- 2025-26 wheat production
- Estimated at 120.657 million tonnes, compared with 117.945 million tonnes in 2024-25.