Drought in Syria reduces harvests and exacerbates hunger

Syria is grappling with its worst food crisis in decades, triggered by a 36-year record drought that slashed wheat production by 40%. This places the new government before a formidable economic and humanitarian challenge, compounded by limited liquidity and import constraints. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Syria faces a wheat deficit of 2.73 million tonnes this year, enough to feed 16 million people for an entire year.

The World Food Programme warns that 3 million Syrians are at risk of severe hunger, with over half the population (25.6 million people) facing food insecurity. The Syrian government has secured only 373,500 tonnes of local wheat, half of last year’s amount, and needs to import at least 2.55 million tonnes to meet demand. However, no major import deals have been announced, with the country relying on small shipments of up to 200,000 tonnes through direct contracts with local importers.

Syria has received limited emergency aid, including 220,000 tonnes of wheat from Iraq and 500 tonnes of flour from Ukraine, but these fall far short of addressing the growing shortfall. Russia, previously a major supplier, halted deliveries since December due to delayed payments and doubts about the new government’s ability to pay. In regions like Hasakah and Homs, farmers report devastating crop losses, with some harvesting nothing and others using inedible wheat as livestock feed.

In May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Syria to support economic recovery post-Bashar al-Assad. Yet, banking restrictions and asset freezes continue to hinder financial transactions, obstructing large-scale import contracts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects Syria will need to import a record 2.15 million tonnes of wheat in the 2025–2026 season, up 53% from last year. With wheat underpinning the subsidized bread program, the production decline and import challenges signal a looming bread crisis, posing a critical test for President Ahmad al-Shara’s government.

Tags: wheat, drought, Syria