Wheat procurement nears completion, lifting lags at 56%

Bathinda: Punjab's wheat procurement is in its final phase, with over 98% of the estimated 122 lakh tonnes having arrived in mandis by Sunday. Of the 119.9 lakh tonnes received, about 118.8 lakh tonnes (99%) has been procured.However, lifting remains slow, with only 66.3 lakh tonnes (around 56%) moved so far. Officials said 1.16 lakh tonnes remain unsold in mandis.Private traders' share has dropped to just 1.06%, while FCI procured nearly 2% of the total. Bathinda, Sangrur and Patiala reported the highest arrivals.