- Rising backlog crowds godowns as rail evacuation slows
- Heavy reliance on FCI offtake exposes structural bottlenecks
Punjab is grappling with mounting storage pressure as government warehouses approach capacity ahead of peak rice delivery from the 2025–26 marketing season. The state’s total covered foodgrain storage capacity is estimated at about 182 lakh tonnes, while existing holdings include roughly 144 lakh tonnes of rice and 48 lakh tonnes of wheat, leaving minimal room for fresh arrivals. Procurement of about 110 lakh tonnes of paddy is expected to yield nearly 75 lakh tonnes of rice, tightening space availability further.
At the same time, rail evacuation data show uneven liquidation of stocks. Punjab has dispatched 7.96 million tonnes of rice by rail during the CY25 and CY26 period, reflecting substantial logistical activity. The state recorded 2,770 rakes, equivalent to nearly 131,000 wagons. However, monthly movement has slowed at a critical stage of the milling cycle. January dispatches stood at 0.57 million tonnes in 2026 compared with 0.60 million tonnes a year earlier. The decline widened in February, with volumes falling to 0.38 million tonnes from 0.65 million tonnes year-on-year, indicating that stock clearance is not keeping pace with milling output, as per data maintained by BigMint.
Rail movement remains overwhelmingly dependent on the Food Corporation of India, which accounts for nearly the entire 7.95 million tonnes as both consignor and consignee. This concentration underscores the state’s reliance on central pool offtake. Any moderation in FCI lifting directly translates into accumulation at mill yards and procurement centres, intensifying congestion across Punjab’s grain handling network.
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