The country has surplus grain stocks, and the conflict in West Asia has not affected staple foods such as pulses or edible oil, while prices are currently stable, a government official familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
The Consumer Affairs Department monitors the availability and prices of all goods. Average retail prices across India for commodities such as tomatoes, peas and cauliflower fell by 10% in February compared to last month due to strong arrivals, according to the official.
The Ministry of Statistics said in a statement on Thursday that the consumer price inflation rate in India rose for the fourth month in a row to 3.21% in February compared to last year, and from 2.75% in the previous month. Food inflation rose by 3.47% year-on-year, according to the statement.
“The country is very comfortable regarding the situation of food stocks and there is expected to be a bumper wheat crop,” the official said, adding that there was no need to panic about the availability of essential items.
The Center expects to procure 30.3 million tonnes of wheat when the harvest begins next month, and the government has started supplying improved rice, which contains up to 10% broken grains, through the public distribution system, a second official said.
The production of pulses and onions in 2025-26 is expected to register an increase compared to the previous year due to good monsoon rains and favorable weather conditions, the official said, citing forecasts from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Consumer Affairs Department is monitoring daily retail and wholesale prices of 22 essential commodities, including rice, wheat, pulses, oils and vegetables across 555 centers nationwide, where access is normal, the senior official said.
