July 26, 2011

Iraq may become wheat exporter by 2015

Iraq is expected to become a wheat exporter by 2015, with 1.8 million tonnes produced this year and 2.25-2.5 million tonnes expected at the end of the season.

"Production is due to reach three million tons next year and Iraq is expected to become a wheat exporter by 2015 in line with government plans," Deputy Agriculture Minister Ghazi al-Abudi said.

Iraq produced 1.875 million tonnes last year, Amer Abdul Aziz, spokesman for the Grain Board of Iraq, said July 19.

The harvest so far this season covers about 40% of total national demand of about 4.5 million tons, he said.

The country will probably import another one million tonnes of wheat before the end of the year after buying 1.5 million tons so far in 2011, Hasan Ibrahim, the board's general director, said June 7.

Iraq tendered last week for 100,000 tonnes of wheat from all origins, with a bidding deadline of July 30.