FCI sells 5.39 lakh tonnes of wheat in 5th E-auction under Open Market Sale Scheme

Staff Reporter / NEW DELHI

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) sold 5.39 lakh tonnes (lt) of wheat worth ₹1,185 crore in the fifth round of e ­auction under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS). This was only 45 per cent of the 11.87 tonnes offered for the fifth round of the e­auctions, though the average weighted price increased.

Total quantity of 11.88 LMT wheat was offered from 657 depots across 23 Regions of FCI and 5.39 LMT of wheat has been sold to 1248 bidders.

In the 5^th e- auction, against the all Indiaweighted average reserve price of Rs. 2140.28/qtl, weighted average selling price received was Rs 2197.91 /qtl.

In the 5^th e auction Quantities ranging from of 100 to 499 MT had maximum demand followed by quantities of 500-999 MT followed by 50-100 MT quantity bracket.

The first auction was conducted on 1^st and 2^nd February 2023 in which 9.13 Lakh MT was sold to 1016 bidders at weighted average price of Rs. 2474/Qtl.  a quantity of 3.85 LMT was sold in the second auction on 15^th February 2023 to 1060 bidders at weighted average price of Rs. 2338/Qtl. 5.07 LMT sold to 875 successful bidders during the 3^rd e-auction saw weighted average price of Rs 2173/Quintal and 5.40 LMT sold to 1049successful bidders during the 4^th e-auction at a weighted average of Rs 2193.82/qtl. The overall price  received during the auctions suggest that the market has cooled down and is below Rs.  2200/Quintal on an average.

Till 4th e- auction 23.47 LMT wheat stock has been sold against which 19.51 LMT has been lifted as on 08.03.2023.

After the 5^th e- auction, the cumulative sales of wheat under OMSS (D) has touched28.86LMTagainst the overall allocation of 45 LMT. The sale has brought significant effect in cooling down the price of wheat and atta all over the country which is likely to remain stabilized with the future tenders for open sale of wheat under OMSS (D).

The next e-auction would be conducted on 15.03.2023 and in view of the start of wheat procurement period from 01.04.2023,  the Govt. has allowed the lifting to be completed by 31.03.2023.