The Government of India has officially lifted its ban on the export of wheat, wheat flour, and related products, ending restrictions that had been in place since 2022. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has reclassified these products from "Prohibited" to "Free" with immediate effect. The decision also covers wheat flour, semolina, wholemeal flour, and other wheat-based products.
The policy change follows a record wheat harvest and strong government stock levels. India's 2025/26 wheat production is estimated at around 120.7 million tonnes, giving authorities sufficient confidence to remove export restrictions that were originally introduced to protect domestic food supplies and contain inflation.
The reopening of exports allows India to return to global wheat markets at a time when Black Sea grain supplies remain under pressure. Analysts expect Indian wheat to target buyers in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, while the additional supply could help ease tight conditions in international grain markets.
For Ukraine, the decision means stronger competition in several export destinations. However, with Black Sea logistics still heavily constrained, transportation costs and export capacity remain more critical than price alone. As a result, the overall impact of India's return to the market will depend on future developments in global grain trade and the recovery of Black Sea export routes.