Iraq achieves wheat self-sufficiency with 6.3 million ton harvest
This achievement follows a record-breaking harvest, with total wheat production reaching a 21% increase over the previous year and the highest volume in Iraq’s history
IRAQ – Iraq has officially achieved self-sufficiency in wheat production for the 2024–2025 season harvesting 6.3 million tonnes, marking a major milestone for the country’s agricultural sector and food security strategy.
This achievement follows a record-breaking harvest, with total wheat production reaching a 21% increase over the previous year and the highest volume in Iraq’s history.
The announcement was made by Minister of Trade Atheer Al-Ghurairy during a field visit to Anbar province, where he oversaw the government’s wheat procurement process from local farmers.
The surge has resulted in a surplus of approximately 1.3 to 1.5 million tons, pushing domestic stocks well above annual consumption needs.
Haider Nouri, Director of Iraq’s General Company for Grain Trade, confirmed that the country’s strategic wheat reserves now exceed 5.5 million tons, enough to supply the domestic market for a full year and maintain price stability even amid global disruptions.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also reported that retail wheat flour prices in Iraq have remained stable, thanks to the abundant local harvest and government price controls.
The surplus is attributed to a combination of favorable rainfall, significant government investment, and guaranteed procurement prices that pay farmers more than double the global market rate.
However, this subsidy-heavy policy has created fiscal challenges, with Reuters estimating a US$500 million loss due to the surplus and high procurement costs. The government spent nearly US$6 billion on wheat procurement in 2024, raising concerns about budget sustainability as oil revenues fluctuate.
Despite logistical hurdles, such as storage shortages and bottlenecks in provinces like Wasit, which saw a 20% year-on-year increase in wheat output, the government has managed to collect and store the bulk of the harvest.
Iraq has even begun exporting wheat, recently sending 220,000 tons as aid to Syria and expanding exports of other crops to Gulf countries.
While the current surplus is a remarkable turnaround after years of drought and import dependence, it is predicted that Iraq’s food security remains vulnerable to climate change, water scarcity, and soil degradation.
The Ministry of Agriculture, however, is investing in advanced irrigation technologies and drought-resistant seeds to sustain future yields.
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