FAO projects notable rise in Iran’s grain production for 2024
Date
6/25/2024 9:35:16 AM
(MENAFN) The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has projected a notable rise in Iran’s grain production for the year 2024. This forecast aligns with the Iranian government's ongoing initiatives to boost domestic farming and reduce dependence on imports to meet the country’s basic food needs.
According to figures from FAO’s biannual publication, **Food Outlook**, Iran’s grain output is anticipated to reach 20.1 million metric tons (mt) in 2024. This marks an increase from the 19.8 million mt produced in 2023, positioning Iran as the 10th largest grain producer in Asia last year. Despite this substantial production, Iran still relied on imports for 14.9 million mt of its grain requirements.
The report highlights that Iran’s wheat output is expected to remain steady at 13.5 million mt, matching last year's production levels. However, rice production in Iran is projected to see a significant increase of 18 percent, rising to 2.6 million mt in 2024.
In response to the challenges posed by US sanctions on its foreign trade, Iran has implemented policies aimed at boosting agricultural productivity to ensure food security. These measures are designed to mitigate potential shortages of essential food items.
The FAO report also reveals that Iran ranks third in Asia in terms of grain reserves, trailing only China and India. China's grain reserves stand at an impressive 414 million mts, followed by India with 65 million mts. Currently, Iran’s cereal reserves total 11.8 million mts, with wheat accounting for 8.8 million tons of these reserves.
Further supporting these projections, the manager of the Agriculture Ministry’s Wheat Project stated that Iran’s wheat production is expected to reach 13.5 million tons for the crop year spanning September 2023-2024. This figure confirms Iran's status as the fifth-largest wheat producer in Asia, behind China, India, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Overall, the FAO’s forecasts and Iran’s proactive agricultural policies reflect a strategic move towards greater self-sufficiency in food production, aimed at enhancing the resilience of the nation’s food supply against external economic pressures.
MENAFN25062024000045015839ID1108371102
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.