Syria to launch tender for 200 thsd tons of wheat imports

Syria will announce an international tender to import 200,000 metric tons of wheat to address a domestic supply shortfall, the Ministry of Economy and Industry informed Reuters on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, without specifying the tender’s date. Reuters reported earlier this week that Syria faces a potential food crisis due to a 36-year record drought, which has slashed wheat production by approximately 40%, while the cash-strapped government struggles to secure large-scale purchases.

The ministry stated that wheat imports from key markets, including Ukraine and Romania, are being pursued to safeguard national food security. The General Establishment for Grain has procured 372,000 tons from local farmers this season, but the country requires 2.55 million tons to meet annual consumption needs. Wheat, Syria’s most critical crop, supports a state-subsidized bread program essential for the population.

All recent wheat shipments have been paid for on a cash-against-delivery basis, with no outstanding debts to suppliers, according to the ministry. The only external support received is an Iraqi in-kind grant of 146,000 tons, though Syrian media reported in April that Iraq would provide 220,000 tons as a “gift.” Wheat imports are financed through sovereign self-funding mechanisms, without reliance on foreign subsidies or preferential loans.

The wheat shortfall poses a significant challenge for President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government, which is working to rebuild Syria following a 14-year civil war and the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Prior to the conflict, Syria produced up to 4 million tons of wheat annually, exporting around 1 million tons, but the current drought and economic constraints have severely impacted food security.

Tags: wheat, Syria, tender