Grain output likely to rise 1.7% this year in India

India is likely to produce a record 316.06 million tons of grain in the current crop year to June, up from 310.74 million tons harvested in the previous year, the government said in its latest estimate released by the farm ministry and cited by Reuters.

Wheat output is expected at 111.32 million tons, up from the previous year’s 109.59 million tons, and farmers are likely to harvest 127.93 million tons of rice against 124.37 million tons produced the year before.

Oilseeds output is expected at 37.1 million tons against 35.9 million tons harvested in the previous year.

The output of rapeseed, the main winter oilseed with the highest oil content, is expected at 11.4 million tons, higher than a target of 10.97 million tons and the previous year’s production of 10.2 million tons.

Production of chickpeas, a popular variety of pulses, is likely to be 13.2 million tons against 11.91 million tons harvested in the previous year.

Any increase in rapeseed and chickpeas production cuts imports of expensive vegetable oils and pulse s— commodities that are in short supply in India, the world’s biggest importer of both cooking oils and protein-rich pulses.