Archive · 14 Nov 2025
India Considers Lifting Ban on Wheat Product Exports with a Cap
India had stopped its people from selling things like flour (atta), semolina (sooji), and refined flour (maida) to other countries back in 2022.
They did this to make sure there was enough for everyone in India and to keep prices low.
Now, the Food Ministry thinks there is so much wheat grown in India that they can start selling these flour products again.
They suggested letting businesses sell 1 million tons of these products at first.
The people who make these flour products want to sell them to Indian people living in other countries because they miss Indian brands.
However, some people are worried that selling too much might make the prices go up in India.
The government has bought a lot of wheat and kept prices mostly steady, but they are considering letting some products be sold internationally again.
India's Food Ministry has proposed lifting the ban on wheat product exports, starting with a cap of 1 million tonnes.
Flour millers have requested permission to export products like atta, sooji, and maida, citing ample domestic availability and a strong production outlook.
The export of wheat products has been banned since 2022 to control domestic prices.
India's wheat production reached a record 117.54 mt in 2024-25, and the government has procured a significant amount.
Allowing exports could help Indian brands cater to the diaspora abroad, but concerns remain about potential price increases domestically.
- Who
- India's Food Ministry and flour millers (Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India)
- What
- Forwarded a demand to lift the ban on exports of wheat products like atta, sooji, and maida, with an initial proposed cap of 1 million tonnes.
- When
- A memorandum was sent on November 12, 2025; the ban was imposed in 2022. The current wheat season is 2024-25 and outlook is for 2025-26.
- Where
- India
- Why
- Ample domestic availability of wheat, strong production outlook, and a desire to cater to the Indian diaspora abroad while potentially generating export revenue.
Food Ministry & Flour Millers
Price Control Concerns
Export Ban on Wheat Products
Food Ministry & Flour Millers
The Food Ministry supports lifting the ban on wheat product exports (atta, sooji, maida) with an initial cap of 1 million tonnes, citing ample domestic availability and strong production outlook.
Price Control Concerns
The government banned exports in 2022 to control domestic prices, and while prices have remained relatively stable, a brief period of increase was noted. Allowing exports could potentially impact price stability.
Market Opportunity for Diaspora
Food Ministry & Flour Millers
Allowing exports would enable Indian millers to re-establish business and cater to the global Indian diaspora who prefer domestic brands, potentially generating extra demand.
Price Control Concerns
The delay in lifting the ban has led to the establishment of competing flour mills in the Middle East, making it challenging for Indian brands to regain market share among the diaspora.
- Proposed Export Cap
- 1 million tonnes (mt)
- Products for Export
- Atta, Sooji, Maida
- Export Ban Implemented
- 2022
- Wheat Production (2024-25)
- 117.54 mt
- Government Wheat Procurement (2024-25)
- 30 mt (highest in 4 years)
- Current Retail Wheat Price
- ₹31.7/kg
- Current Retail Atta Price
- ₹37.02/kg
