Damascus, Aug. 5 (SANA) The Syrian Grain Establishment has received 2.7 million tons of wheat from this year’s harvest across Syrian provinces, exceeding the country’s annual wheat requirements of 2.55 million tons, Deputy Director General Ahmed Qadoun said on Wednesday.
Qadoun told SANA that the volume of wheat collected reflects Syria’s ability to meet domestic demand for the crop.
Wheat collection operations are continuing as long as farmers deliver economically viable quantities to collection centers, Qadoun said, adding that no fixed deadline has been set for closing the centers.
He said most collection points have already stopped operations after farmers in their areas delivered the available marketable quantities.
Qadoun said the Syrian Grain Establishment is implementing a storage strategy to manage the large volume of wheat and maintain quality by transferring grain to silos and storage units, where it undergoes regular fumigation to preserve it for extended periods.
He added that surplus quantities are stored in prepared enclosed warehouses equipped for grain preservation, while short-term open-air storage is used under strict technical procedures.
The official said the establishment is continuing rehabilitation and expansion projects at silos and storage facilities across Syria to increase capacity and accommodate future harvests.
Regarding payments to farmers, Qadoun said the establishment transfers invoices and data on received quantities to agricultural banks, which are responsible for processing payments. He added that all invoices for received wheat quantities have been transferred and payments are being made according to the approved procedures.
The Syrian Grain Establishment announced on July 29 that wheat deliveries for the current season had exceeded 2.5 million tons, describing the figure as a significant milestone in restoring the institution’s operations.
The establishment is continuing its wheat collection program while upgrading storage infrastructure through the rehabilitation of silos and collection centers, with the aim of supporting food security and maintaining stable flour supplies for bakeries.
R.A/ABD
