India to Sell Up to 3 Million Tonnes of Wheat Under OMSS Next Month

The Indian government plans to sell up to 3 million tonnes of wheat from its surplus stock under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) starting next month. This move aims to curb potential price hikes during the festive season.

Traders and bulk buyers will have to register on the Food Corporation of India's (FCI) designated platform under OMSS to purchase the wheat. The government currently holds around 20 million tonnes of surplus wheat after meeting its requirements for public distribution and buffer stock.

Navneet Chitlangia, President of the Roller Flour Millers' Federation of India, said that despite a possible upward trend in prices due to demand and shipments to Bangladesh, the government's OMSS tender will ease supply-side pressure and keep prices affordable. Market prices have softened by Rs 60-Rs 70/quintal from recent highs due to muted demand and traders offloading their stocks.

Millers have requested the government to allow exports of wheat under OGL to stabilize the market, rather than the current license-based shipment system. The FCI has purchased over 35 million tonnes of wheat in the 2026-27 rabi marketing season, the highest in four years.