Initial estimates indicate that Syria may not need to import wheat this year, representing a significant shift after years of reliance on imports. The new Syrian government has placed the wheat issue among its priorities by the end of 2024, with the aim of enhancing food security.
Decline in production and reliance on imports
Before 2011, Syria was achieving self-sufficiency in wheat and exporting the surplus, with an annual production of approximately 4 million tons and cultivated areas exceeding 1.7 million hectares. But the war caused a sharp decline, as production in some years fell to less than 271 thousand tons, which is only 7 percent of the local need.
Import Cost and Sector Challenges
The crisis forced Syria to import approximately 1.5 million tons of wheat annually, at a cost reaching 400 million dollars, with Russia being the main supplier. Despite ongoing challenges such as drought, a report by the FAO in June 2025 warned of a deficit estimated at 1 million and 73 thousand tons, indicating that only 40 percent of agricultural land was cultivated.
Self-sufficiency Forecasts
The Syrian Grains Establishment announced that the country may not need to import wheat this year, based on initial production estimates. The annual need is estimated at about 2.5 million tons, while approximately 1 million tons are currently available, in addition to receiving about 1.5 million tons, with expectations of improved production.
Current agricultural season improves
Dr. Saeed Ibrahim, Director of Agricultural Economics and Planning, reported that the current agricultural season is good due to abundant rainfall and appropriate distribution of precipitation. He explained that the agricultural plan for the winter season included approximately 3.4 million hectares, of which nearly 2.8 million hectares were implemented, a high percentage compared to previous seasons.
Plans for expanding production and supporting farmers
The Ministry of Agriculture aims to increase wheat production during the coming seasons, following the successful experiment of distributing seeds and fertilizers to farmers, which covered 300 thousand hectares. The Ministry plans to expand this experiment to include between 600 and 700 thousand hectares next season, relying on local seeds adapted to local climatic conditions.
Agricultural Exports Rebound
In a related context, the implementation rates for winter vegetable cultivation exceeded 227 percent of the plan, which opens the door for increasing agricultural exports. Refrigerated trucks loaded with Syrian vegetables and fruits have begun heading daily once again to Gulf countries and neighboring countries, according to statements by the Director of Agricultural Economy and Planning.
Protecting the local product
The Ministry of Agriculture periodically submits proposals to the National Committee for Import and Export to prevent the import of certain agricultural products during peak local production periods. The recent decision to ban the import of some varieties of summer vegetables and fruits has contributed to supporting local production, reflecting a trend towards enhancing self-sufficiency.
Keywords
- The Syrian Economy
- Syrian Economic News
- Wheat Imports
- Syrian wheat
- Wheat self-sufficiency
- Syrian Ministry of Agriculture
- Wheat production
