Iraq plans to export its surplus wheat crop abroad.

Iraqi Trade Minister Mustafa Nizar Al-Ani announced on Friday a government plan to export surplus wheat crops abroad, while reassuring farmers that their outstanding financial dues from last year would soon be disbursed.

Al-Ani said in a press conference held on the sidelines of his visit to the grain storage silo in Erbil that the Ministry of Trade has introduced an advanced electronic mechanism for marketing wheat, which relies on registering the data of farmers and trucks in advance, in order to avoid routine and bureaucracy and to avoid the long waiting lines that used to extend for several days when delivering the crop.

Regarding the financial file, the minister acknowledged that there are outstanding payments owed to farmers since last year, stressing that the Prime Minister is paying close attention to settling this file.

Al-Ani indicated that a batch of these delayed entitlements has been released to include all governorates, and that new batches will follow in the coming days to complete the file completely.

Regarding production expectations for the current season, the minister predicted an outstanding production plan, indicating that the areas planted with wheat – including the Kurdistan Region – far exceeded the plan approved by the Council of Ministers.

Al-Ani addressed the farmers, saying: “I assure you that your efforts will not be in vain, and there is a comprehensive plan to receive the entire crop and export what exceeds the country’s actual needs,” stressing that the ministry’s main goal is to establish sustainable food security.

Shafaq.com