Iran to reduce wheat imports in 2025/26

for essential food imports is also helping to curb price pressures on key commodities, including wheat. However, production prospects for 2026 are a growing concern. Planting of winter wheat, which runs from September to mid-November, has been hindered by persistent dry weather and limited irrigation water reserves. As most cereals in Iran are rainfed, the agricultural sector remains highly vulnerable to rainfall deficits. Farmers are also facing high input costs for seeds and fertilizers, while frequent power outages restrict access to irrigation, particularly in major producing regions such as Khuzestan. FAO estimates total cereal production in 2025 at around 20 million tonnes, nearly 10 percent below the five-year average. Wheat output is expected to reach 12.5 million tonnes, about 12 percent below average, due to prolonged drought, low temperatures during critical growth stages, and energy supply disruptions. These factors combined have resulted in reduced yields across key ...