Iran will import a record amount of wheat this season, Iranian industry sources say. Drought has caused a major setback to the country's wheat production this year, forcing it to import more of the commodity. With prices rising on the world market, people in the sector believe the growing import bill will hurt the country's economy.

Wheat is widely used to make bread, Iran's staple food, but the ongoing drought has raised fears of a wheat shortage. On top of this, a shortage of drinking water could put the government under pressure.

Sanctions imposed by former US President Donald Trump have all but crippled Iran's economy. The impact of Covid-19 has also become a major obstacle to the country's purchases of food and medicine, and high shipping costs are making the challenge even sharper.

According to those involved, Iran's wheat production could fall by about 30 per cent this year, so Iran is increasing wheat imports to secure its bread supply. Kaveh Zargaran, chairman of Iran's Grain Supplying Association, said Iran will import 8 million tonnes of wheat this season. Some 2 million tonnes of imported wheat have already been unloaded at the country's ports.

Citing Business Recorder.

Source: Bonik Barta. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.