Wheat Production to Decline Due to Drought, Extreme Cold

Drought and extreme cold experienced at the beginning of the current crop year have inflicted heavy losses on many wheat farms across the country, which is estimated to reduce the government’s guaranteed wheat purchases to 5-6 million tons this year, according to the deputy head of the National Wheat Farmers Empowerment Foundation. 
“This amount is far less than the annual domestic demand. Therefore, a considerable amount of imports will be needed to make up for this deficit,” Aliqoli Imani was quoted as saying by Mizan Online.
Iran’s wheat demand stands at 11-13 million tons per year. 
The official said on Tuesday the government has bought a total of 2.5 million tons of wheat from local farmers since the beginning of the current Iranian year on March 21, which shows a decline compared with the similar period of last year.