Wheat grains are seen in a storage area during the harvest season
Iraq’s Trade Ministry declares full readiness for 2026 wheat procurement season
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Trade said Wednesday it has completed all technical, administrative and logistical preparations for the 2026 wheat procurement season, introducing a pre-booking system for trucks to reduce congestion at silos and streamline delivery for farmers.
Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Hanoun said silos have been maintained and rehabilitated, storage capacity increased and an integrated plan developed through the central marketing committee to distribute quantities across receiving centers without bottlenecks. The ministry is coordinating with the Agriculture Ministry to align procurement with production volumes.
Hanoun said the measures support “the government’s efforts to support local production and achieve self-sufficiency in wheat” and will help strengthen strategic reserves and secure food ration supplies.
Iraq buys wheat directly from farmers at fixed prices above global market rates to support domestic production and food security. In 2025, the ministry purchased more than 5.1 million tons, contributing to a strategic reserve of around 6.5 million tons — sufficient to cover domestic consumption for more than a year.