The Centre on Thursday, 7 May 2026 rejected claims of a 'glut-like' situation in Punjab mandis, asserting that wheat arrivals during the ongoing rabi marketing season (RMS) 2026 are actually lower than the previous year while procurement and lifting operations have improved significantly. The government's clarification came in direct response to a media report that had suggested excessive grain inflow was creating congestion at procurement centres across the state.

Wheat Arrivals Lower Than Last Year

According to the government's statement, wheat arrivals in Punjab as of 6 May 2026 stood at approximately 122 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), compared to 125 LMT recorded during the same period in 2025. This represents a decline of nearly 3 LMT year-on-year, directly contradicting the narrative of a surplus-driven glut in mandis. Officials noted that lower arrivals indicate the current situation does not reflect excessive inflow of grain into procurement centres.

Lifting Operations Ahead of Last Year's Pace

The Centre further stated that wheat lifting from mandis has been faster this season. Progressive lifting as on 6 May 2026 reached 78.96 LMT, higher than the 75.63 LMT recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. Officials said the higher evacuation despite lower arrivals demonstrates better movement of stocks from procurement centres and reduced congestion across Punjab mandis. This is a notable operational improvement, suggesting that logistical bottlenecks that had plagued previous seasons are being addressed more effectively.

Direct Delivery Mechanism Expanded

To further streamline procurement operations, the Centre said it has significantly expanded direct delivery mechanisms during the current season. Around 3.5 LMT of wheat was moved directly from mandis in April, while another 6.6 LMT has already been planned for May and nearly 8 LMT is expected to be handled similarly in June. In total, close to 18 LMT of wheat is proposed to be evacuated through direct delivery during the ongoing RMS, based on requests from Punjab authorities. This phased ramp-up in direct delivery signals a deliberate shift toward reducing mandi dwell time for procured grain.

Punjab Gets Lion's Share of Railway Wheat Specials

The government also highlighted that Punjab has received the largest allocation of railway wheat specials for grain movement across the country. Out of 413 wheat specials placed nationwide in April, 234 were allotted to Punjab. Similarly, 201 out of 354 wheat specials allocated in May have been earmarked for the state, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of total wheat movement planned across India. This disproportionately large allocation underscores the Centre's stated commitment to ensuring smooth evacuation of Punjab's procurement volumes. Notably, railway specials are a critical link in moving grain from mandis to Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns and distribution points nationwide.

With the RMS 2026 season still under way, all eyes will be on whether the expanded direct delivery pipeline and railway allocations are sufficient to maintain the current pace of lifting through the peak procurement weeks ahead.