In a bid to control the rising prices, the Government on Thursday decided to put restrictions on the export of wheat or maslin flour at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The decision of the Cabinet “will now allow a restriction on the export of wheat flour which will ensure a curb on rising prices of wheat flour and ensure food security of the most vulnerable sections of the society”, an official statement said.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will issue a notification to this effect.
“The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal for amendment of policy of exemption for wheat or maslin flour from export restrictions/ ban,” it said. In July, a DGFT notification said the Government had imposed a condition on exports of wheat flour or atta, maida and semolina.
“Export policy of wheat flour (atta) remains free but export shall be subject to recommendation of the inter-ministerial committee on export of wheat,” the notification had said. When asked about the Cabinet decision, an official said earlier the export regime for wheat flour was “free” but now it is restricted. In 2021-22, India exported wheat flour worth USD 246 million. The exports stood at about USD 128 million during April-June this fiscal.
Russia and Ukraine are the major exporters of wheat, accounting for around one-fourth of the global wheat trade. The war between the two countries has led to global wheat supply chain disruptions, thus increasing the demand for the Indian wheat. As a result, the price of wheat in the domestic market has shown an increase.