India changed the export policy for wheat, durum wheat and related wheat flour products from “Prohibited” to “Free

India changed the export policy for wheat, durum wheat and related wheat flour products from “Prohibited” to “Free

¨     India changed the export policy for wheat, durum wheat and related wheat flour products from “Prohibited” to “Free” on 24 August 2026.

¨     The policy change came into effect immediately.

¨     The revised policy covers maida, semolina (rava/suji), wholewheat atta and resultant atta.

¨     Restrictions on wheat exports had been in force since 13 May 2022.

¨     Restrictions on wheat flour products had been in force since August 2022.

¨     The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issues export-related notifications under India’s foreign trade framework.

¨     In export policy terminology, “Prohibited” means exports are not permitted.

¨     “Free” means exports are permitted without a specific ban, subject to other applicable laws and procedures.

¨     Wheat is one of India’s major cereal crops.

¨     Durum wheat is a hard wheat variety mainly used for pasta and certain flour blends.

¨     Maida is refined wheat flour.

¨     Semolina is also known as rava or suji.

¨     Atta is wholewheat flour commonly used to prepare chapatis, rotis and other flatbreads.

¨     The policy change followed a record foodgrain production of 376.563 million tonnes in the 2025–26 crop year.

¨     India’s wheat export policy is closely linked to domestic availability, public distribution requirements and retail price management.

¨     The earlier export restrictions were introduced in 2022 amid global food-market disruptions following the Russia-Ukraine war.

¨     With a population of around 1.4 billion, India has a large domestic requirement for wheat.

¨     Wheat is a major staple food, particularly in northern and central India.