Centre orders disclosure of rice stock details

According to a Business Standard report, to control rising rice prices, the Central Government has ordered traders, retailers, wholesalers, processors, and millers across the country to disclose their rice and paddy stock details. This step has been taken to curb prices that have risen due to inadequate and uneven monsoon.

As per the order dated 6 November, traders, wholesalers, and retailers of all states and Union Territories, as well as large retail chains, processors, and millers, will have to declare their stocks in six categories. These categories include Basmati rice, non-Basmati premium rice, non-Basmati rice, parboiled rice, broken rice, and paddy.

The Ministry of Food stated in a communique that it will be mandatory for every unit holding stock to update details on the Food Stock Portal (foodstock.dfpd.gov.in) every Friday. Units that are not registered on the portal or violate stock limits will face strict action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Additionally, through a separate letter dated 6 November, the Central Government has given consent to five southern states—Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana—to impose stock limits on paddy and rice through a control order. This limit will remain in effect until 31 January, 2027. According to the official statement, the Centre and the states will jointly monitor implementation to ensure supply is maintained and hoarding and black marketing are prevented.

To improve supply, the Central Government is allocating additional rice stocks to NAFED, NCCF, and Central Warehousing for sale as 'Bharat Rice'. These institutions have been specifically asked to find all possible distribution channels, particularly in the southern states. Furthermore, the government has increased the target for rice sales through e-auction under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) for 2026-27 from 25 lakh tonnes to 50 lakh tonnes. By 31 October, approximately 25 lakh tonnes of rice had been sold to private parties, compared to 11 lakh tonnes during the same period last year.

According to industry experts, inadequate rainfall has led to an increase in rice prices, especially in premium non-Basmati varieties. In September, retail rice inflation rose to 8.25 per cent from 5.89 per cent in August, with the average retail price standing at ₹48.23 per kg, which is approximately 12 per cent higher than a year ago. Experts believe this is not a nationwide crisis, but pressure is higher in areas with low supply. A significant surge has been observed in South India's premium varieties, where the wholesale price of Sona Masuri has risen from ₹50 per kg a month ago to ₹65-70 per kg.

According to the report, due to inadequate rainfall, Kharif paddy sowing for 2026-27 has decreased by approximately 4 per cent to 42.68 million hectares. According to traders' estimates, against a record production of 154 million tonnes in 2025-26, rice production in 2026-27 is likely to be approximately 147 million tonnes.