New Delhi, May 15
After imposing a ban on exports, the Centre on Sunday asked wheat producing states with procurement closing dates expiring early to continue purchases till May 31.
The Ministry of Food and Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs also asked the FCI to continue with wheat procurement under the central pool.
Wheat procurement under the central pool has been less during the Rabi Marketing Season 2022-23 as compared to RMS 2021-22 due to the higher market prices than MSP with farmers selling to private traders. The extended period will benefit farmers, it said.
Official sources, meanwhile, added that due to increasing prices in the domestic and international markets, several farmers and traders did not bring their grain to the markets for procurement.
Due to negligible pace of wheat arrivals in recent days, a request was made to allow premature closure of mandis, they said.
