Ukraine among key wheat suppliers to Syria

Syria has signed import contracts for approximately 1.13 million tonnes of wheat to meet the needs of mills and bakeries across the country, with more than half of the shipments already delivered, a Shafaq News official reported on Monday.

According to Hassan Othman, Head of the General Organization for Cereals, Syria has so far received 611,000 tonnes, while around 519,000 tonnes are scheduled for delivery throughout the year, ensuring continuous flour production in all provinces.

Regarding supply sources, Othman noted that most current contracts involve exporters from Ukraine, Russia, and Romania. The organization is also diversifying its import sources, and existing wheat stocks are sufficient for several months. Additional contracts are expected soon to strengthen strategic reserves through competitive tenders based on price, quantity, and delivery timelines.

Othman added that Syria currently relies heavily on wheat imports, as domestic production covers only a few months of demand and remains inconsistent. Damaged silo infrastructure, warehouses, and grain centers, along with the distance of operational facilities from agricultural areas, continue to complicate grain collection.

Syria’s dependence on wheat imports is driven by a sharp decline in domestic production in the 2024/25 marketing year, with planted areas falling nearly 13% and output dropping to an estimated 922,000 tonnes, down from 2.4 million tonnes in the previous season.

Tags: wheat, Syria, Ukraine