BackECONOMY
Wheat procurement robust in Ludhiana as lifting slows amid logistics crunch
Ludhiana district shows solid wheat procurement progress with high arrivals, but lifting is lagging due to transportation constraints and railway rakes shortages. District-wide arrivals are about 81% of the expected crop, while lifting efficiency varies between Ludhiana West and East; statewide, lifting lags procurement slightly as the season nears its final phase.
Why It Matters
The report highlights how procurement efficiency contrasts with logistics bottlenecks, impacting storage and market flow during peak harvest and potentially affecting prices and supply stability.
Timeline
1 Event
Punjab wheat procurement season progresses; Ludhiana shows strong procurement but lifting constrained
May 2, 2026
Ludhiana West registered wheat arrivals of about 3.22 lakh metric tonnes against a target of 3.94 lakh, while Ludhiana East received roughly 3.45 lakh against a projected 4.21 lakh, with district-wide arrivals at about 81% of the expected crop. Lifting of procured wheat is slower: Ludhiana West has lifted 19,495 tonnes out of ~20,000 procured (≈97.5% lifting) and Ludhiana East has lifted 17,536 tonnes out of ~20,000 procured (≈87.7%). Officials say roughly 35% of procured stock remains to be lifted in several mandis due to transportation pressures. District Food and Supplies Controller (West) Sartaaj Singh Cheema noted that procurement has been smooth, but lifting is hindered by logistics, including shortages of railway rakes; some wheat is moved directly from mandis to other districts via rail, and occasional train shortages are affecting movement. With arrivals now declining, authorities aim to speed up lifting to prevent market congestion and ensure timely storage before temperatures rise. Statewide, Punjab has procured more than 97% of the wheat arriving in mandis this season, while lifting continues to trail procurement.