Govt FY18 wheat opening stocks 8.06 million tonne, down 44.6%.

Government held 8.06 million wheat in its stocks at the beginning of the current marketing year, sharply lower than 14.54 million tonne last year. Govt stocks are lower this year due to poor output in the last two years, and high sales through the govt open market auctions to manage supply in wholesale markets. Stocks are likely to be replenished that the government has already started wheat procurement for the current marketing year and aims to purchase 33 million tonne against 22.9 million tonne bought last year. Govt has procured 3.9 million tonne wheat from farmers across the country, up 7.4% from a year ago.