Wheat Seed Purchases Slow in Rabi Season as Market Speculation and Low Kharif Prices Impact Farmer Sentiment

21 November 2025, New Delhi: Wheat seed purchases for the ongoing Rabi season have been slower than expected across several regions, with industry observers attributing the trend to a combination of market speculation, distributor-level stock management, and liquidity constraints among farmers following low Kharif crop prices.

According to market sources, seed companies are currently speculating on demand trends and strategically managing seed placements at the distributor level. This has resulted in uneven availability in some markets, while in others, distributors are holding stocks in anticipation of a surge in demand once sowing accelerates.

Experts also point to the unusually low market prices of several Kharif crops this year—particularly soybean, paddy and pulses—which have reduced farmers’ cash flow at the start of the Rabi season. With limited liquidity, many farmers are reportedly postponing the purchase of high-quality wheat seeds, despite wheat being the dominant Rabi crop in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Some traders suggest that a segment of farmers may opt for leftover or carryover seed from last season if their financial situation does not improve in the next few days. This could impact both the quality of sowing and overall productivity if not addressed promptly.

On the other hand, agricultural officers note that soil moisture remains relatively high due to extended monsoon rains and late paddy harvesting in multiple districts. Farmers may therefore begin wheat sowing in the next 7–10 days, which could naturally accelerate seed purchases.

Officials and industry leaders believe that wheat seed demand will stabilize once sowing activities pick up pace, but the current slowdown highlights a broader concern about farmers’ financial resilience and the need for supportive pricing strategies in the Kharif season.

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