November 26, 2007
 

India wheat output to fall short of demand in next three yrs
 

India's wheat production is projected to fall short of domestic demand over the next three years, Farm Minister Sharad Pawar said on Friday (November 23, 2007).

"The country is expected to produce around 73.44 million tonnes of wheat in 2009-10 crop year, while demand is expected to grow to 74.26 million tonnes, leaving a gap of around 820,000 tonnes," the minister said in a written reply to lawmakers in Parliament.

India's wheat crop year runs from April to March.

He said India is expected to produce 72.60 million tonnes of wheat in 2008-09, while demand is expected to be around 72.72 million tonnes, again a shortfall of 120,000 tonnes.

India is importing around 2.3 million tonnes of wheat this year to shore up its buffer stocks, which fell below official targets, following low procurement by state agencies.