India Ditches Wheat Export Quotas in Favor of Free Trade

The Indian government has lifted restrictions on wheat exports, shifting to a free trade policy after four years. The move comes as domestic supplies have improved, and wheat production is at a record level.

The government had imposed export curbs in May 2022 due to concerns over domestic availability and prices. However, this year, it started easing restrictions as domestic supplies improved.

The policy change now allows exporters to respond to international demand without waiting for the government to allocate additional quantities. This flexibility is expected to benefit farmers, who can sell their surplus wheat at competitive international prices.

India's traditional wheat export markets include Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The country had exported wheat worth $10.23 million in FY26 and $9.69 million in the first three months of FY27.