Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Dry weather conditions hamper cereal production in 2025
- Cereal production in 2024 estimated at above-average level
- Cereal import requirements projected to decline in 2024/25 due to above-average domestic production in 2024
- Retail wheat flour prices declined in 2025
Dry weather conditions hamper cereal production in 2025
Low precipitation amounts between October 2024 and February 2025 delayed planting activities until end of November 2024 and reduced the extent of the cereal planted area, hampering yield prospects despite improved rainfall in March. In the northern parts of the country, where crops are mainly rainfed, remote sensing data indicates unfavourable vegetation conditions, while irrigation increased soil moisture leading to average-level crop biomass in central and southern regions. Despite governmental support through subsidized seeds, inputs, and access to mechanization services, offsetting the negative impacts of the unfavourable start of the season remains challenging. While weather conditions show improvements in April, output is expected at below-average levels as harvest starts in mid-May 2025.
Cereal production in 2024 estimated at above-average level
The 2024 cereal production is estimated at about 6.2 million tonnes, over 5 percent above the average, largely due to favourable weather conditions and the support provided by the government in terms of subsidies for irrigation, inputs and mechanization services as well as the establishment of encouraging guaranteed procurement prices. According to official figures, which do not include Kurdistan Region, wheat production is estimated at 5.2 million tonnes in 2024, about 20 percent above the average.
Cereal import requirements projected to decline in 2024/25 due to above-average domestic production in 2024
Wheat import requirements in the 2024/25 marketing year (July/June) are forecast at 1.9 million tonnes, about 20 percent below the average, reflecting the abundant 2024 domestic production and the introduction, as of September 2024, of import tariffs on wheat which increased import costs. It is worth to note that exports of wheat flour from Türkiye to Iraq between September 2024 and January 2025 declined by about 40 percent compared to the same period one year before.
Retail wheat flour prices nearly stable in 2025
National average prices of wheat flour and rice were nearly stable in March 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, due to the adequate local production in 2024, low international prices and stable currency rate driven by the tight monetary policy by the Central Bank that eased inflationary pressures.