Iraq sets new wheat prices and secures seeds for 2025 to 2026 season
The government updates pricing, seed supply, and farmer payments as it prepares for harvest collection.
IRAQ – Iraq’s Council of Ministers has approved new wheat purchase prices and a seed supply plan for the 2025 to 2026 agricultural season, as the country moves closer to the start of harvest collection.
The government set the wheat price at IQD 700,000 per tonne, about US$534, for quantities within the national agricultural plan. It set a lower price of IQD 500,000 per tonne, about US$381, for wheat delivered outside the plan. These prices will guide how the state buys grain from farmers across the country.
Officials also fixed yield estimates based on farming methods. Farms that use modern irrigation systems should reach 900 kilograms per dunum. Flood irrigated land should produce 750 kilograms per dunum, while rain fed farms should reach about 300 kilograms per dunum.
Alongside pricing, the Council approved the purchase of 100,000 tonnes of high grade wheat seeds at IQD 700,000 per tonne, about US$534. This move aims to support planting for the next cycle and maintain grain quality.
The plan sets a total wheat quota of 400,000 tonnes for the Kurdistan Region. This includes 292,000 tonnes within the plan and 108,000 tonnes outside it. The allocation comes at a time when regional officials have raised concerns about the size of the quota. They want the federal government to buy a larger share of the expected harvest, which they estimate could pass 2 million tonnes.
The Council also addressed delayed payments to farmers. It approved the settlement of outstanding dues for the 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 seasons. The Ministry of Finance will include the loan amounts and interest in the next budget bill and will provide guarantees to the Trade Bank of Iraq to complete repayments.
These steps follow earlier preparations for the wheat procurement season. Authorities have already readied 78 silos and storage sites to receive grain.
Officials have also put strict quality checks in place. Inspection teams will test moisture levels and check for pests, while authorities will reject any mixing of new and old stock.
Rain has slowed the start of harvesting, but officials expect collection to begin within days. Workers will report early each morning to manage deliveries and keep the process on track.
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