The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture announced today, Friday, that it has achieved self-sufficiency in the strategic wheat crop for the current agricultural season 2026, in addition to achieving self-sufficiency in dates, confirming the continuation of procedures to support local production and reduce reliance on imports.
The ministry's spokesperson, Qusai Al-Hatab, stated in a press interview that Iraq has achieved self-sufficiency in the wheat crop over three agricultural seasons, indicating that these successes are ongoing during the current season 2026.
Al-Hatab explained that the ministry has worked on developing new varieties of salt-tolerant wheat seeds and those suitable for climate changes, along with providing sprayers to farmers at subsidized prices and through an installment system extending up to 10 years, with a full year of grace.
He added that irrigation systems supported by the Austrian loan receive a 33% subsidy, reducing the cost of the system to about 49 million dinars instead of 70 million, with the amount to be paid in installments over 10 years and a grace period of one year.
He indicated that the ministry aims to continue achieving self-sufficiency in wheat during the next season as part of the winter plan.
Regarding dates, the spokesperson confirmed that Iraq has also achieved self-sufficiency in dates this year, noting that the ministry has worked to preserve Iraq's historical legacy in date palm cultivation.
He pointed out that the number of date palms in Iraq has increased from about 12 million palms after 2003 to 22 million palms in 2026, emphasizing that this increase has contributed to enhancing production and achieving self-sufficiency in dates, with the largest share coming from Zahidi dates.
Regarding reducing reliance on the import of crops and agricultural products, Al-Hatab mentioned that the ministry relies on an agricultural calendar that includes a permanent ban on the importation of 33 items, in addition to 15 other items subject to variable bans that can be reopened for import if not available in the local market.
He noted that the import prohibition measures aim to support local products, especially with the availability of quantities of Iraqi crops, including fruits, vegetables, tomatoes, and others.
According to Al-Hatab, the ministry relies on specialized committees from the Planning and Follow-up Department to determine the need for imports, which monitor the markets and conduct daily and semi-daily inspection tours in Alawi Jamila, Al-Rasheed, and Jamila, submitting their reports to the relevant authorities.
Al-Hatab concluded that import decisions are not made automatically but after studying the market reality, saying that the existence of a surplus in local products means there is no need for imports, while in case of shortages, the possibility of opening imports will be explored after studying the matter in detail.