Surge in wheat arrivals leads to glut-like situation in mandis

102.44-lakh tonne of produce has reached grain markets with authorities struggling to lift 60-lakh tonne

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

CHANDIGARH: Wheat arrivals in Punjab on Sunday crossed 102.44 lakh tonnes with the government procuring nearly 95% of the crop.

According to the data accessed by HT, the sudden spurt in the arrivals has led to a glut-like situation in mandis with more than 60 lakh tonnes of freshly harvested produce yet to be lifted from the procurement centres to the storage points. Nearly 2,100 mandis and procurement centres have been set up for grain procurement.

Piles of wheat produce in open and gunny bags filled with grain placed on nearby roads and open areas have become a common scene in the state these days.

Top officials in the state food and civil supplies department and Punjab state agricultural marketing board (mandi board) attribute the glut to delayed harvesting due to low temperatures at the time of grain maturing.