Bread Under Pressure: Iran’s Flour Industry Balances War Risks, Bureaucracy, and Supply Chain Strain
Mr. Seyed Morteza Sanadizadeh, Managing Director of Javaneh Shushtar Flour Company
Iran’s flour industry — a cornerstone of national food security — is navigating a complex mix of wartime risk, logistical pressure, and administrative inefficiencies.
Sanadizadeh says resilience in this sector means sustaining production under all conditions, from securing wheat and energy supplies to ensuring workforce stability and rapid crisis decision-making. He notes that despite recent conflict conditions, wheat and energy supply chains remained largely functional, allowing flour mills to continue operations without major disruption.
However, this continuity has exposed structural weaknesses. According to him, critical emergency preparedness measures such as backup generators and fuel reserves for mills have often failed to materialize due to bureaucratic delays and coordination issues between institutions. Administrative system disruptions, shortages of standby personnel, and transportation constraints are also identified as risks that could significantly weaken bread production stability during a deeper crisis.
The report also highlights tensions in Iran’s wheat procurement system, where farmers are now required to register in an official tracking platform. While intended to improve transparency, delays in payments and resistance to registration have raised concerns about wheat flowing into informal markets.
Despite these challenges, wheat production remains relatively strong, particularly in Khuzestan province, supported by improved rainfall and favorable agricultural conditions.
