India experienced its driest August in over a century, with rainfall 36% below the norm, raising concerns about crop yields and the potential for further export restrictions. The monsoon season is vital for crops like sugar and soybeans, and erratic weather patterns have affected harvests, leading to export curbs on wheat and rice.
The government also imposed stockpile limits on certain crops. September rains will be crucial to compensate for the rainfall deficit, especially with the possibility of El Niño causing drier conditions. Some rice-growing regions in the east and cane areas in the west and south have been particularly affected. A decline in production could strain global food supplies and raise commodity prices.