India Reopens Wheat Export Market After Four-Year Ban

India has lifted its four-year ban on wheat flour and related product exports. The move marks a significant easing of India's controls on wheat-based exports, which were put in place in July 2022 following a global food-supply shock triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The government had earlier allowed exports subject to an annual limit of 5 million tonnes. However, with this latest decision, the restriction has been removed, giving exporters greater flexibility to cater to international demand and expand overseas shipments of wheat flour and related products.

The ban was imposed after domestic prices of wheat and atta surged amid a surge in global prices. The war had disrupted shipments from the Black Sea region, which accounts for around 25% of global wheat trade, creating significant uncertainty in international grain markets.