India Lifts Export Ban on Wheat Flour, Maida, Semolina

The Indian government has amended its export policy for wheat products, shifting them from prohibited to free category. This change is aimed at boosting exports of wheat flour and other related products. Under the revised policy, exports of wheat or meslin flour (atta), maida, semolina (rava), wholemeal atta, and resultant atta will now be permitted without restrictions.

The government had imposed curbs on wheat and wheat product exports in 2022 to ensure domestic food security and contain rising prices. The decision was taken amid disruptions in global wheat supplies following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which boosted overseas demand for Indian wheat and pushed domestic prices higher.

Despite the export ban, certain exceptions were permitted for specific wheat products. In February this year, the government allowed the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat and an additional 5 LMT of wheat products, citing improved stock availability.