Government Makes Weekly Paddy and Rice Stock Reporting Mandatory, Imposes Stock Limits in 5 States

Key Highlights

• Weekly paddy and rice stock reporting is mandatory every Friday.

• Five southern states were allowed to impose stock limits until January 31, 2027.

• Sona Masuri wholesale prices reach ₹65-70 per kg.

• Bharat Rice supply to increase through NAFED, NCCF and Central Warehouse.

• OMSS-D rice sale target doubled to 5 million metric tonnes.

The central government has tightened its monitoring of paddy and rice stocks across India to control rising prices, prevent hoarding and ensure sufficient food grain supplies in the market. Under the new rules, traders, wholesalers, retailers, large retail chains, processors and rice mills must report their stock details on the government's Food Stock Portal every Friday.

Along with mandatory weekly stock reporting, the government has also authorised five southern states to impose stock limits on paddy and rice whenever required. The arrangement will remain in force until January 31, 2027.

The move comes amid rising rice prices, particularly in southern India, where popular varieties such as Sona Masuri, Samba Masuri and Ponni have become more expensive. The government is also taking additional steps to increase the availability of affordable rice through Bharat Rice and the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS-D).

Government Makes Weekly Paddy and Rice Stock Reporting Mandatory

According to an order issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on November 6, 2026, all businesses and entities holding paddy and rice stocks across the country must register their stock information on the Food Stock Portal.

The requirement applies to traders, wholesalers, retailers, large retail chains, processors and rice millers operating in all states and Union Territories.

Under the new system, these entities must update their stock details every Friday. The government has identified six categories under which stock information must be submitted:

1. Basmati rice

2. Premium non-basmati rice

3. Regular non-basmati rice

4. Parboiled rice

5. Broken rice

6. Paddy

Businesses must provide accurate stock details for each applicable category and regularly update the information on the portal. This system will help the government maintain a clearer picture of paddy and rice availability across India. It will also make it easier to identify unusual stock accumulation, possible shortages and sudden price increases in particular rice varieties.

Action Against Businesses That Do Not Report Stock Details

The government has made compliance with the stock reporting requirements mandatory. Businesses dealing in paddy and rice must register on the Food Stock Portal and submit their stock information within the prescribed schedule.

Entities that fail to register, do not provide the required information or violate the applicable stock limits may face legal action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The government has therefore directed all concerned businesses to complete their registration and ensure that their weekly stock information is accurate and updated every Friday.

Five Southern States Allowed to Impose Paddy and Rice Stock Limits

Apart from weekly stock reporting, the central government has approved stock limits on paddy and rice in five southern states. These states are:

• Andhra Pradesh

• Karnataka

• Kerala

• Tamil Nadu

• Telangana

The respective state governments have been authorised to issue control orders and decide the stock limits according to local market conditions and supply requirements.

This arrangement will continue until January 31, 2027. However, the actual stock limits, their implementation and enforcement will be decided by the respective state governments through their control orders.

The main objective is to prevent unnecessary stockpiling, discourage hoarding and black marketing, improve rice availability and keep prices under control, particularly in southern markets.

Sona Masuri Rice Prices Increase to ₹65-70 Per Kg

Rising rice prices have been one of the major reasons behind the government's latest decision. According to media reports, wholesale prices of Sona Masuri rice in South Indian markets have increased significantly over the past month. Prices that were earlier around ₹50 per kg have reportedly reached ₹65-70 per kg.

Other popular varieties, including Samba Masuri and Ponni rice, have also witnessed price increases. A decline in the area under rice cultivation is also believed to be putting pressure on supplies and prices. During the 2026-27 Kharif season, the area under rice cultivation declined by approximately 4% compared with the previous year, reaching 42.68 million hectares.

According to trade estimates, India's rice production this year could be around 147 million tonnes, compared with the record production of 154 million tonnes during 2025-26. The combination of reduced cultivation area, lower expected production and rising market prices has increased concerns about rice availability and affordability.

Government Plans to Increase Bharat Rice Supply

To improve rice availability and provide consumers with affordable options, the central government has decided to allocate additional quantities of Bharat Rice.

Additional rice supplies will be made available to the following agencies:

• National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED)

• National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF)

• Central Warehouse

These agencies have been directed to increase Bharat Rice sales through different distribution channels. The government is giving particular attention to improving its availability in southern states, where rice prices have increased considerably. By increasing the supply of Bharat Rice, the government aims to provide consumers with an affordable alternative and reduce pressure on retail rice prices.

Open Market Rice Sale Target Doubled to 5 Million Tonnes

The government has also increased the rice sale target under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic), commonly known as OMSS-D. For the financial year 2026-27, the target for rice sales through e-auctions has been doubled from 2.5 million metric tonnes to 5 million metric tonnes.

This will allow more rice from government stocks to enter the open market through sales to private traders. According to government data, approximately 2.5 million metric tonnes of rice had already been sold to private traders through e-auctions under OMSS-D as of October 31, 2026.

During the corresponding period of the previous financial year, rice sales under the scheme stood at approximately 1.1 million metric tonnes. The increased sales target is expected to improve market supply, support price stability and make more rice available through private distribution channels.

What the New Government Rules Mean for Rice Traders and Farmers

The latest measures are aimed at strengthening the government's control over rice stock availability and market prices. For traders, wholesalers, retailers, processors and rice mills, weekly stock reporting is now a mandatory requirement. Businesses operating in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana may also have to follow additional stock restrictions issued by their respective state governments.

For consumers, increased Bharat Rice supplies and higher OMSS-D sales could improve the availability of affordable rice. Paddy farmers should also keep track of market prices, local demand and changes in government policies while selling their produce. These developments may influence procurement, trading activity and the prices offered in local agricultural markets.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh Government to Buy Goat Milk Through Dairy Societies, Boosting Farmers Income

CMV360 Says

The central government's latest measures aim to control rising rice prices, prevent hoarding and maintain sufficient supplies across India. Mandatory Friday stock reporting, stock limits in five southern states, increased Bharat Rice distribution and a higher OMSS-D sales target are expected to improve market monitoring. Traders must follow the new reporting rules, while farmers should monitor local prices and government decisions before selling their paddy in the market.