Food grain stock rises by 1.48 lakh tonnes in six months

The country’s food grain stock has risen by 148,484 tonnes in the first six months of the present government, reaching 23,59,154 tonnes as of 9 September, up from 22,10,670 tonnes on 10 February, according to the Food Ministry.

The government has also raised the safe food reserve target from 13.5 lakh tonnes to 16 lakh tonnes and plans to increase total storage capacity to 34 lakh tonnes within the next five years. The capacity, previously around 24 lakh tonnes, has already risen to 27 lakh tonnes, officials said.

According to the Directorate General of Food, the current stock comprises 20,36,102 tonnes of rice, 2,32,183 tonnes of wheat and 34,070 tonnes of paddy. Including floating stocks, the total stands at 23,59,154 tonnes, of which 68,723 tonnes is wheat in transit or under processing.

Officials said the stock position was satisfactory and there was no immediate concern over the country’s food supply. Adequate stocks would help maintain market supply, stabilise prices and meet emergency needs, they said.

Meanwhile, 16,83,195 tonnes of food grains have been procured for 2025-26 fiscal year  up to 9 September. The procurement includes 5,78,140 tonnes of paddy, 12,01,568 tonnes of boiled rice, 1,05,313 tonnes of atap rice and 523 tonnes of wheat.

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Imports are also continuing to strengthen food reserves. Between 1 July and 9 September, a total of 8,27,700 tonnes of food grains were imported through public and private channels. Of these, 65,860 tonnes were imported by the government and 7,61,840 tonnes by the private sector.

Mohammad Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, joint secretary (procurement wing) of the ministry, told BSS that domestic procurement was progressing successfully and government warehouses held adequate and secure stocks of rice and wheat.

Food Planning and Monitoring Unit Director General Mahbubur Rahman said the government was adjusting stocks and storage capacity in line with rising demand.

He said adequate rainfall this season raised hopes of meeting the Aman harvest target and added that the government expected to surpass its Aman procurement target.

Wheat prices in the international market have been rising, potentially increasing import costs, Mahbubur said. However, the government has contingency measures, including distributing rice instead of wheat under the Food-Friendly Programme. “There is no possibility of a food crisis” under the current circumstances, he said.