India’s rice procurement up 5% in 2025-26, as Govt buys 18% higher from rabi crop

During the 2025-26 rice procurement season, India has managed to achieve 99 percent of its target of 575.52 lakh tonnes, marking a 5 percent increase compared to the previous year. As the marketing season commences on October 1, the government might need to swiftly dispose of its stock before the next purchase for the 2026-27 season, which also begins on October 1.

The acreage for paddy has decreased by a marginal 2 percent, suggesting another fruitful harvest, barring any significant monsoon deficit during August-September. The government had set a procurement target of 485.95 lakh tonnes from the kharif-grown crop and 89.57 lakh tonnes from the rabi season in the 2025-26 season (October-September).

The total procurement for 2024-25 from both kharif and rabi crops stood at 545.22 lakh tonnes of rice. Up to August 4, the actual procurement in terms of rice amounted to 571.14 lakh tonnes, surpassing the similar period last year by 29 lakh tonnes. Kharif-grown rice purchases have been completed in all states, while rabi crop procurement will continue until September 30.

For the rabi season, the Central government's target includes a maximum of 43 lakh tonnes from Telangana, followed by 14 lakh tonnes from Tamil Nadu, 11 lakh tonnes from Odisha, and 10 lakh tonnes from Andhra Pradesh. Rabi rice procurement has risen to 86.71 lakh tonnes from 73.45 lakh tonnes a year ago, reflecting an 18 percent increase.

From the rabi crop, the maximum of 42.69 lakh tonnes has been purchased from Telangana, followed by 13.20 lakh tonnes from Tamil Nadu, 11.83 lakh tonnes from Andhra Pradesh, and 11.04 lakh tonnes from Odisha. Due to the early arrival of the paddy this year, the Centre granted procurement agencies in Punjab and Haryana the opportunity to commence purchases starting from mid-September and September 1, respectively.

Despite purchases being an ongoing process, the transfer of grains to the Central Pool occasionally remains delayed and may not reflect on the records. Meanwhile, Punjab, traditionally the top rice contributor to the Central Pool stock, purchased 104.86 lakh tonnes, which is 9.7 percent lower than the 116.13 lakh tonnes procured the previous year.

Haryana's procurement data has also been revised upwards to 41.58 lakh tonnes, after the State government requested the Centre to accept the surplus grain procured. In 2024-25, the procurement from Haryana was 36.17 lakh tonnes, as per official data. The Agriculture Ministry has previously stated that rice production in the 2025-26 kharif season is projected to be 124.76 million tonnes, up from 122.77 million tonnes a year ago.

Rabi rice output is estimated at 18.11 million tonnes from 16.13 million tonnes in 2024-25, and the summer season's harvest is projected at 11.16 million tonnes from 11.28 million tonnes.