Shafaq News- Basra
Wheat intake in southern Iraq’s Basra province is projected to exceed 24,000 tons this agricultural season, alocal official told Shafaq News on Tuesday, with marketing operations nowunderway.
Receiving centers are fullyprepared, offering sufficient silo capacity and a regulated system to managetruck entry and unloading, according to Hadi Hussein, head of the BasraAgriculture Directorate. Peak deliveries, he noted, are anticipated in May andwill continue through June, while urging farmers to adhere to schedules toensure smooth processing.
Harvesting began last week inBasra with average yields of about 750 kg per dunam (0.25 hectares), covering3,937 dunams under the government plan and 7,500 dunams outside it.
In Kirkuk, production isprojected at around 600,000 tons this season, reinforcing its role as a keygrain-producing province. Zuhair Ali Hussein, head of the Kirkuk AgricultureDirectorate, said average yields are estimated at about 1,250 kilograms perdunam, supported by improved farming methods, technical assistance, andfavorable weather. Iraq’s 2026 wheat production is forecast at 5 million tons,down from 6.3 million in 2025, while imports are expected to rise to 2.1million tons.