MUMBAI (Reuters) - India is projected to experience above-average temperatures this winter, raising concerns about the yields of key crops such as wheat and rapeseed, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The forecast indicates that from December to February, both minimum and maximum temperatures will exceed normal levels, with a reduction in the number of cold wave days.
Winter-sown crops, including wheat, rapeseed, and chickpeas, are typically planted from October to December and require cold conditions during their growth and maturation phases to achieve optimal yields.
A decrease in production could compel India, the world's second-largest wheat producer, to import wheat to maintain affordable supplies for its population of 1.4 billion, along with increasing imports of pulses and edible oils.
Despite record-high prices, New Delhi has so far resisted calls for wheat imports, aiming to avoid disturbing local farmers.
Recent years have highlighted the significant impact of temperature on wheat yields. In 2022 and 2023, unusually warm weather adversely affected India's wheat output, leading to a significant reduction in state reserves.
Wheat prices in Delhi reached a record 32,000 rupees per metric ton last week, a sharp increase from 25,000 rupees in April and well above the government-set minimum support price of 22,750 rupees for the previous season's crop.
To alleviate prices by increasing supply, India plans to sell 2.5 million metric tons of wheat from its state reserves to major consumers such as flour millers and biscuit manufacturers.