India bans export of wheat with immediate effect

India has banned wheat exports with immediate effect as part of measures to control rising domestic prices, according to official notification.

"The export policy of wheat … is prohibited with immediate effect…," the DGFT said in a notification dated May 13.

It also clarified that wheat exports will be allowed on the basis of permission granted by the Government of India to other countries to meet their food security needs and based on the request of their governments.

India is the second largest producer of wheat globally and pressures on prices have surged with the top producer Ukraine being hit by war. Ukraine produces about a fifth of the world's high grade wheat and 7% of all wheat.

Many countries had already approached India for wheat imports, including Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Oman, Nigeria and South Africa.

But domestically the price rise pressure on basic stables such as atta, bread and even biscuits is showing up. Wheat flour or Atta, the most commonly used food item in Indian kitchens, has seen rates reach a decade high. All India's monthly average retail price of wheat flour stood at Rs 32.38 per kg in April, the highest since January 2010.