Damascus, Aug 8 (SANA) Syria’s wheat production is expected to exceed 3 million tons in 2026, marking a significant recovery in the country’s strategic crop after severe drought sharply reduced output last year.
The recovery was driven by improved rainfall and the return of large agricultural areas in northeastern Syria to production, with wheat cultivated across around 1.4 million hectares and the agricultural plan fully implemented, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Eastern regions drive production
The eastern governorates remain the main source of Syria’s wheat production. Hasakah accounts for around 37% of total output, followed by Raqqa and Aleppo at 18% each, while Deir Ezzor accounts for 11%.
The return of large cultivated areas in Hasakah, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, combined with favorable rainfall, contributed significantly to the increase in production and the quantities delivered to collection centers operated by the Syrian Grain Establishment.
In Hasakah alone, around 1.15 million tons of wheat had been delivered to approved collection centers by August 2, according to the establishment.
A sharp recovery from last year
The scale of the improvement becomes clear when comparing the 2026 season with 2025, as total wheat production stood at around 934,183 tons.
Rainfed farming areas were particularly affected by last year’s drought and lack of rainfall. Their actual production fell to just 29,000 tons, compared with an expected 800,000 tons based on planned cultivated areas.
Improved rainfall this season helped restore production in those areas and pushed national output to more than 3 million tons.
2.7 million tons received
The Syrian Grain Establishment has so far received more than 2.7 million tons of wheat from farmers, with collection continuing as long as new quantities are delivered.
The establishment said the figure represents the quantities received from farmers and does not constitute the final national production total.
The quantities received have already exceeded the establishment’s annual requirement of 2.55 million tons, indicating a stronger capacity for domestic production to cover national needs.
Expanding storage capacity
Alongside collection operations, the Syrian Grain Establishment is directing wheat to silos and storage facilities while carrying out regular disinfection and quality monitoring.
It is also rehabilitating and expanding storage facilities in several governorates to increase capacity and accommodate larger harvests in future seasons.
Digital marketing system introduced
The 2026 season also saw the introduction of electronic registration and advance booking for wheat deliveries, along with automated invoices and data related to collection operations, in an effort to streamline marketing procedures and reduce congestion at collection centers.
The establishment said it had transferred all invoices for the quantities received up to the date of its latest statement to the Agricultural Bank, which is responsible for paying farmers.
Development expert Akram al-Afif described the electronic platform as a positive step, but said it still requires further development to reflect the realities of agricultural work.
Harvest dates depend on the availability of combines, tractors and agricultural labor, making it difficult for some farmers to determine precise delivery dates, he said, stressing that timely payment remains essential for farmers to meet their financial obligations and prepare for the next agricultural season.
Farmers call for lower production costs
The Ministry of Agriculture said farmers’ main demands include reducing production costs, particularly the prices of seeds, fertilizers and fuel, as well as setting a marketing price that covers production costs and provides an adequate profit margin to encourage wider wheat cultivation.
Al-Afif also pointed to continued challenges including high production costs, limited agricultural financing and rising fuel and machinery expenses. Some farmers have also raised concerns over the germination rate of part of the wheat seed supply, he said.
New measures planned for the next season
The Ministry of Agriculture said it is working to update legislation governing the agricultural sector, including measures to facilitate imports of production inputs and increase competition among suppliers to secure better prices and quality.
The ministry is also promoting contract farming to absorb surplus production and improve farmers’ returns, while efforts continue to improve the quality, purity and technical standards of certified seeds.
The 2026 wheat season highlights a significant recovery in Syria’s strategic crop, while underscoring the need for an integrated agricultural system that supports farmers from production inputs and financing through marketing, storage and timely payment.
Wheat remains central to Syria’s food security and supports a wider economic chain involving livestock, transport and agricultural services.
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