Iraq buys 3.19 million tons of locally produced wheat
Iraq has collected over 3.19 million tons of wheat this season, nearing its annual requirement of 4.2 million tons. Procurement ended in 10 provinces while continuing elsewhere. Officials expect reserves to support 2027 needs, despite ongoing challenges from water shortages and desertification affecting production.
The Iraqi Ministry of Trade revealed on Saturday that it collected more than 3.19 million tons of wheat this season, with the acquisition closing down in 10 provinces while activities continue in northern and western regions.
Director of Iraq’s General Company for Grain Trade, Haider al-Karaawi, told the state-run news agency (INA) that the purchasing process has been completed in nine provinces in southern Iraq as well as Baghdad.
The collection process is currently in progress in eight provinces, with operations in Diyala and Salah al-Din likely to complete in the coming days, according to al-Karaawi.
To encourage local production and food security, Iraq pays farmers above-market subsidized prices for wheat.
The Iraqi official indicated that Iraq’s annual need for wheat is approximately 4.2 million tons, with the quantities currently purchased slightly surpassing 3.1 million tons.
Al-Karawi said earlier in February that the current season’s production is expected to boost strategic reserves for 2027.
6.3 million tons were put on the Iraqi market in 2024, compared to 5.19 million tons in 2023.
In July 2025, the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture reported that the country had achieved wheat self-sufficiency for the third consecutive year.
Iraq was self-sufficient in wheat for three years before the Ukraine crisis, producing 4.7 million tons in 2019, 6.2 million tons in 2020, and around 4.2 million tons in 2021.
However, water shortages and desertification reduced local wheat production, prompting the Iraqi government to import wheat to make up the gap.
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Source : Iraqi News
