Official forecasts Iran’s wheat production at 12 million tonnes

Iran expects to reap 12 million tonnes of wheat this year at a time of rising concerns over food supplies because of the ongoing war between major wheat producers Russia and Ukraine.

State purchases of wheat from local farmers are forecast at 8.2 million tonnes, up from 7.2 million tonnes last year, vice president of planning and economic affairs of the ministry of agricultural jihad Shahpour Alaei-Moqaddam said.

Iran’s wheat production last year stood at 11 million tonnes, up 40 percent from the previous year.

“Wheat is the backbone of the agricultural sector, and the food security of the world is measured by wheat,” Alaei-Moqaddam said.

The global food market is facing a serious challenge from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine which is the fifth largest exporter of wheat.

According to Alaei-Moqaddam, about 780 million tonnes of wheat is produced in the world, with China, India, and Russia respectively ranking first to third well ahead of Iran which is the 13th producer.

Economists say the West’s imposition of sanctions on Russia has intensified the rise in prices for energy and food products, especially wheat.

Iran’s domestic wheat output can vary widely depending on rainfall and the country has in some years been self-sufficient in the staple cereal.

Guaranteed purchases of wheat are the key plank of Iran’s self-sufficiency drive in the strategic staple food.

SS