India has approved the export of select wheat-based products, partially easing restrictions that have been in place for more than three years, as expectations
of a strong harvest raise confidence about domestic supply. According to a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on January 16, the world’s second-largest wheat producer has cleared the export of up to 500,000 tonnes of wheat flour and related products such as semolina. The approval is limited to a one-time quota, while the broader ban on raw wheat exports remains in force, said a Bloomberg report. India had halted wheat exports in May 2022 to curb rising domestic prices and safeguard food security following heatwaves and supply disruptions. The latest move signals cautious optimism from policymakers, supported by forecasts of a bumper crop after the country experienced its best monsoon in five years. The decision also comes amid ongoing trade discussions between India and the United States. Washington has been pressing New Delhi to open up its agricultural markets and provide greater access for American farm exports, as both sides work to ease broader trade frictions. At the same time, Indian authorities are responding to appeals from domestic processors keen to capitalise on strong overseas demand for wheat products. Bloomberg News had reported in November that the government was weighing a partial resumption of exports. India’s limited return to global markets could help improve supply conditions and ease prices for wheat-importing nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, where dependence on external supplies remains high.
