Iran’s wheat production falls by 2.5 mln tons in MY 2024/25

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Iran’s wheat production is projected to decline to 13.5 million tons in the MY 2024/25, a decrease of 2.5 million tons compared to the previous season.

USDA data indicates that Iran produced approximately 16 million tons of wheat in the 2023/24. Domestic consumption for the new crop year is estimated at 16.95 million tons, resulting in a shortfall of 3.45 million tons, which will be covered through imports. Iran, the world’s 17th most populous country, ranks as the eighth-largest wheat consumer globally, following China (148 million tons), India, the European Union, Russia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey.

Notably, Turkey, despite having a smaller population, consumes about 2.5 million tons more wheat than Iran. The United Kingdom, in comparison, consumes slightly less, at around 15.5 million tons. These figures highlight the significant wheat consumption in the region, driven by both cultural and economic factors.

Additionally, the USDA report notes a 100,000-ton decrease in Iran’s barley production, projected at 3 million tons for 2024/25, down from 3.1 million tons the previous year. The country’s barley deficit is estimated at 2.1 million tons, to be met through imports, compared to 2.3 million tons last year. Iran’s total barley stocks are forecast to reach 682,000 tons, up from 482,000 tons in 2023/24.

Tags: Iran, barley, wheat, crop forecast