Baku, Azerbaijan, July 2
By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:
The volume of wheat purchased officially by the state has dropped in Iran, said "Wheat project" commissioner at Iran's Ministry of Agricultural Jihad Esmaeil Esfandiari, Trend reports via Tasnim news agency.
He said that in contrast to the situation in the world markets, barley prices in Iran are higher than wheat prices. He added that eventually it may lead to increase of the wheat consumption in livestock and poultry areas, and this is a factor of concern.
Noting that in comparison with last Iranian year, the volume of wheat purchased from farmers decreased by 4-5 percent, the ministry official added that, on the contrary, the purchase of wheat should have increased by at least 10-15 percent, given the increase in production.
“The government should approve the parliament’s proposal to increase the price for wheat and purchase 1 kg of wheat for 25,000 rials (about $0.59),” he said.
He noted that 14-14.5 million tons of wheat are expected to be harvested this sowing year. “So far, 3.65 million tons of wheat have been purchased from farmers under guarantees,” he said.
After wheat harvest, farmers n Iran sell the remaining wheat volumes to the government under guarantees and get their money in stages.