India has bought more than five million tonnes of wheat since mid-2016, already its biggest annual purchase in a decade, after it began an import campaign to meet a supply shortfall left by two years of lower production.
Data showed 5.1 million tonnes of wheat has been delivered or loaded for arrival into India since July 1, while traders estimated the country has bought about 5.2 million tonnes.
More than one million tonnes of wheat was delivered to India in January and February arrivals have already hit close to 400,000 tonnes.
India bought 6.7 million tonnes of wheat in 2006/07.
The country began importing wheat around the middle of last year after two years of dry weather and unseasonal rains hit production in the world’s second largest consumer of the grain.
The country has bought wheat mainly from Ukraine and Australia. Indian flour mills paid about $210-$212 a tonne, including cost and freight (C&F), for Ukrainian wheat.