India has tweaked the export policy for wheat flour and other related products like maida, semolina, and has asked traders to secure permission before exporting the commodity, the government said in a notification published on Thursday.

New Delhi banned wheat exports in mid-May as a scorching heat-wave curtailed output and domestic prices hit a record high. The restriction on wheat flour exports would be effective from July 12, the government said.

The Centre has amended the export policy on wheat flour (atta), mandating its export subject to the recommendation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the export of wheat from July 12.

The export of wheat flour remains free as the IMC recommendation is to maintain its quality, according to a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

This means unlike wheat export, which has been banned since May 13 2022, the export of wheat flour will continue subject to permission from the IMC.

“Whereas global supply disruptions in wheat and wheat flour have created many new players and has led to price fluctuations and potential quality-related issues.

“Therefore, it is imperative to maintain the quality of wheat flour exports from India,” the notification stated on Thursday.