DUBAI: Iran banned state imports of wheat for a year starting on March 20, Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, ordering officials to stop registering new purchase orders.
“There is no need for wheat imports in coming year. Please avoid registering any order for wheat (imports) from this date,” Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture, Mahmoud Hojjati asked Mohammadreza Nematzadeh, the minister of industry and trade last week in a letter published on Tasnim today.
Iran aims to be self-sufficient in wheat by improving yields but will continue to be reliant on imports for maize and barley, its agriculture minister said on Jan. 28.