GRAIN

摘要

Although food was not included in the sanctions measures imposed by the US and EU on Iran, commercial activity was hindered by various trade restrictions. The easing of sanctions from 12 January has spurred interest in Iran's grain import requirements, especially in the light of the sizeable fluctuations in volume seen in recent years. Yet, Iranian media reported that the Agriculture Ministry did not anticipate the need for "major wheat imports" in the year beginning 20 March due to a good domestic harvest. Moreover, at the end of January the country's Agriculture Minister outlined the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in wheat supply as soon as next year. An additional development since the easing of sanctions is that the sole grain purchasing agency GTC (Government Trading Agency) is to hold 3 Mt of strategic wheat reserves, as opposed to 5 Mt previously, to save on storage costs.