India Lifts Export Restrictions on Wheat Flour, Maida, and Semolina

The Indian government has made a significant change to its export policy for wheat products. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification on August 24, amending the export policy for several wheat products. Under the revised policy, exports of wheat flour, maida, and semolina (rava) will now be permitted without restrictions.

The Centre had imposed export curbs on wheat and wheat products in 2022 to ensure domestic food security and contain rising prices. The measures were introduced amid disruptions to global wheat supplies following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which increased overseas demand for Indian wheat and pushed up domestic prices.

The government had said the restrictions were necessary to safeguard food security for India's 1.4 billion population and control rising prices of wheat and wheat flour. However, with improved domestic stock availability, the Centre has now permitted exports of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat and an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.