India Allocates 5 Lakh Tonnes Each of Rice and Wheat for Sale Under ‘Bharat’ Brand

In a bid to provide essential food grains at affordable prices, the Government of India has allocated 10 lakh tonnes (lt) of food grains—comprising 5 lt of rice and 5 lt of wheat—for retail sale under the popular ‘Bharat’ brand.

The allocation has been made to two major cooperative organisations, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of India Ltd (Nafed) and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India (NCCF). These cooperatives will sell the food grains directly to consumers through their retail stores, mobile vans, e-commerce platforms, and tie-ups with big chain retailers.

Retail Prices Fixed for Bharat Brand Rice and Atta

According to official sources, the maximum retail price (MRP) for Bharat brand rice has been fixed at ₹340 per 10 kg bag, while Bharat brand atta (wheat flour) will be sold at ₹300 per 10 kg bag.

The sales are expected to resume in November 2025 after a three-month gap, though the delay means Bharat brand products may miss the festive season demand during Dussehra and Diwali.

Purchase Price and Subsidy Withdrawal

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has fixed the issue price of rice for cooperatives at ₹2,400 per quintal until October 31, 2025, and ₹2,480 per quintal from November 2025 until June 30, 2026.

For wheat, the issue price has been set at ₹2,550 per quintal (excluding transport cost). However, the government has withdrawn the earlier subsidy of ₹200 per quintal under the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) for Bharat brand rice from July 1, 2025. Furthermore, the sale of Bharat rice through private millers has been discontinued this year.

Quota Distribution and Supply Chain Process

From the total annual allocation of 10 lt, only Nafed and NCCF have been assigned stocks as Kendriya Bhandar opted out after the second phase of allocations in the current financial year.

Both cooperatives are now required to float tenders for milling, packaging, and supply, a process that may take nearly six weeks, delaying the market availability of Bharat rice and atta.

Rising Retail Prices of Rice and Wheat in India

Data from the Consumer Affairs Ministry highlights the current market scenario:

• Wheat Atta Price:

  • Average retail price: ₹36.81/kg (August 25, 2025)

  • 0.4% higher than last month

  • 3.2% higher than last year

  • 4.5% higher than two years ago

• Rice Price:

  • Average retail price: ₹43/kg (August 25, 2025)

  • 0.3% lower than last year

  • 3.3% higher than two years ago

The government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) has also seen a steady rise:

• Wheat MSP: ₹2,425/quintal in 2024-25, a 14% increase from ₹2,125 in 2022-23.

• Paddy MSP: ₹2,389/quintal for 2025-26 season, 9% higher than two years ago.