India foodgrain production rises 5% to record 376.56 million tonnes in 2025-26

Government estimates projected India’s foodgrain output to climb 5 per cent to a record 376.56 million tonnes in the 2025-26 crop year ending June. Data released on Wednesday linked the rise to higher production of rice, wheat and maize. Better monsoon rains in 2025 and a higher minimum support price (MSP) also supported the larger harvest.

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The agriculture ministry said total foodgrain production was set to rise from 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25 to 376.56 million tonnes in 2025-26. The ministry described this as the highest foodgrain output in India’s history. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan credited farmers for reaching the new peak.

Foodgrain production estimates for 2025-26

The third advance estimates put rice production at 154.02 million tonnes in 2025-26, up from 150.18 million tonnes a year earlier. Wheat output was pegged at a record 120.65 million tonnes, compared with 117.94 million tonnes in 2024-25. Nutri and coarse cereals were estimated at 74.47 million tonnes, higher than 63.92 million tonnes.

Maize was a key driver within nutri and coarse cereals. Output was estimated at a record 55.09 million tonnes in 2025-26. This compared with 43.4 million tonnes in 2024-25. The latest figures suggested broad gains across major cereals, alongside stable levels in other parts of the food basket.

Wheat production and unseasonal rain impact

The ministry said wheat output stayed steady despite localised losses. Some areas faced crop damage from unseasonal rains and hailstorms. Even so, the estimate showed a 2.29 per cent rise in wheat production for 2025-26. The ministry had said earlier that wheat production remained stable and resilient.

Chouhan said the latest assessment showed farm output remained strong across categories. "The Third Advance Estimates clearly indicate that the production position of foodgrains, major cereals, oilseeds and commercial crops in the country remains robust, with several crops projected to achieve record production levels, he said.\"

Rice production, maize production and pulse output

In pulses, tur production was estimated at 3.59 million tonnes in 2025-26. This was slightly lower than 3.62 million tonnes in 2024-25. Gram production was projected to rise to 12.51 million tonnes from 11.11 million tonnes. Lentil output was placed at 1.76 million tonnes.

Oilseeds production estimates and soyabean trends

Total oilseeds production was estimated at 43.05 million tonnes in 2025-26. This was marginally higher than 42.98 million tonnes in 2024-25. Groundnut was expected to increase to 13.07 million tonnes from 11.94 million tonnes. Soyabean was projected to fall to 12.59 million tonnes from 15.26 million tonnes.

Rapeseed and mustard output was estimated at 13.76 million tonnes in 2025-26. This compared with 12.66 million tonnes in the previous year. The estimates indicated that gains in some oilseed crops offset weaker soyabean output. The overall oilseeds basket still showed a small year-on-year increase.

Commercial crops production estimates: sugarcane, cotton and jute

Among commercial crops, sugarcane production was estimated at 500.06 million tonnes in 2025-26. This was higher than 454.61 million tonnes in the preceding year. Cotton output was projected at 29.024 million bales, with each bale weighing 170 kg. This compared with 29.72 million bales a year earlier.

Jute production was pegged at 9.176 million bales in 2025-26. Each jute bale was estimated at 180 kg. The 2024-25 estimate stood at 8.48 million bales. Chouhan said research support also mattered, noting work by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and its institutions on climate-resilient seeds and rainfed technologies.

With inputs from PTI