Iraq begins preparations for new wheat procurement season

Iraq has officially announced the start of preparations for its new wheat procurement season, confirming that 78 silos and grain storage facilities are ready to receive the harvest. This marks the first phase of an annual campaign crucial for the country’s food security.

According to Haider Garawi, Director of the Grain Trading Company, the prepared facilities include both new and renovated sites, particularly in the provinces of Muthanna and Karbala. Their combined storage capacity is estimated at around 340,000 tons of wheat.

Authorities emphasized strict quality control measures. Mixing this year’s harvest with last year’s stock is strictly prohibited. Inspections will assess moisture levels and pest presence, with severe penalties for any violations.

However, this year’s harvest season has been delayed due to rainy weather conditions. Grain collection is expected to begin within approximately 10 days. Staff will be on standby from as early as 5:00 a.m. to ensure efficient intake from farmers.

The launch of the campaign comes amid dissatisfaction among farmers in the Kurdistan Region. The proposed procurement quota of 292,000 tons has been criticized by the regional Ministry of Agriculture, which is calling for the purchase of at least half of the expected total harvest, projected to exceed 2 million tons.

Tags: wheat, Iraq