India, May 14 -- The procurement of wheat, the primary staple in much of north India, has slowed despite 98 per cent of this season's crop being harvested, according to latest government figures.

Wheat was planted over 33.417 million hectares (mha) in the Rabi season 2025-26. According to data from the crop division of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, 98 per cent of the wheat crop has been harvested as of May 8, 2026. In Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, 98 per cent of the crop has been harvested. In the remaining wheat-growing states, 100 per cent crop has been harvested.

Despite this, wheat is not being procured in the mandis (wholesale markets). According to Food Corporation of India data, the wheat procurement estimate...