Govt imposed ban on export of wheat flour to curb domestic prices

The Central Government outlawed the export of wholemeal atta, resulting atta, maida, samolina (rava/sirgi), and meslin flour (atta), among other processed wheat products.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), which is presided by by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made the choice during this meeting.

According to an official statement, the Cabinet’s decision “would now allow to put a restriction on the export of Wheat Flour which will ensure a check on rising wheat flour prices and ensure food security of the most vulnerable parts of the community.”

In order to allow the DGFT to impose the ban on processed food items manufactured from wheat, the Union Cabinet approved a revision to a 2013 decision. As of today, the retail price of atta has increased by 17% to Rs 35.6 per kg from Rs 30.3 per kg last year.

Similar to this, wholesale prices have climbed by 21% to Rs 3,027 a quintal from Rs 2,494 previous year. Since the government forbade the export of wheat due to a decline in domestic production, atta exports have increased significantly.

The policy had previously been to not prohibit or place any restrictions on the export of wheat flour; therefore, a partial modification of the policy was necessary by withdrawing the exemption from the ban/ restrictions on export in order to ensure food security and put a stop to the nation’s rising wheat flour prices, the statement added.