Kathmandu. India has lifted a four-year-old ban on the export of wheat and wheat products in a bid to boost farmers’ incomes.

According to a notice issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the wheat export policy has been changed from ‘restricted’ to ‘free’ with immediate effect.

India banned wheat exports in May 2022 with an aim to control domestic supplies and prices. According to the government, the export has been opened to provide additional market to the farmers as there is sufficient stock of wheat in the country in recent period and the production has also increased.

According to official data, India produced 126.5 million tonnes of wheat in the 2025-26 crop year (July 2025-June 2026). This is 2.3 percent more than the previous crop year.

Secretary at the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution Sanjeev Chopra said opening up the export of wheat would help improve farmers’ income. According to him, this will also encourage farmers to increase the cultivation of wheat in the coming crop season.

The government has said that there will be no problem of supply in the domestic market while opening the export of wheat as there is sufficient stock in the country. The farmers are expected to get additional market and fair price for their produce through the export. The government is also confident that farmers will be encouraged to increase wheat production next year.