The need to play a strong role of the private sector in importing wheat this year
Dr. Kaveh Zargaran, Head of the Iran Grain Suppliers Association
According to Zargaran, based on the statistics and reports of the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture, 12 million tons of wheat have been purchased by the government this year, and we should import 2 to 3 million tons. Last year, we imported two and a half million tons of wheat, 99% of which was provided by the government and the state-owned trading company of Iran. But this year, it has been suggested that the private sector play a stronger role in supplying wheat to trades and industry.
He added: According to the forecasts by 2030, the countries of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan will become the main suppliers of the world, and the countries of America, Canada and Australia, which currently play a prominent role, will become the second.
Mr. Zargaran pointed out that Iran has had about 242 mm of rain this year, which is an increase of almost 2% compared to last year, and added: In general, compared to the long-term annual average, the rainfall has been less. Unfortunately, about 70% of the country is facing severe drought and it is predicted that the average rainfall will decrease by about 60% in the next 10 years and the air temperature will increase by half to one degree in the country.
