Preparations for the 2026 wheat procurement season in the Kurdistan Region have reached the final stage. Agricultural authorities completed the list of farmers who will sell wheat to the federal government. They will soon send the names to Baghdad. Despite expectations of a strong harvest, the federal wheat quota for the Kurdistan Region will remain unchanged.
Authorities expect to start collecting wheat within the next few days. Silos across the Kurdistan Region are making final preparations for the process. This year, the government plans to buy 400,000 tons of wheat from local farmers. The approved agricultural plan covers 292,000 tons. Farmers produced another 108,000 tons outside the plan.
Dr. Zayda Mohammed, Director General of Planning and Follow-up at the Ministry of Agriculture, confirmed the completion of the farmer list. She said the ministry has registered 56,768 Kurdish farmers for this year’s procurement season. The ministry will submit the list to federal authorities in Baghdad to complete the purchasing process.
Iraq aims to purchase around 3.8 million tons of wheat during the current season. At the same time, experts expect wheat production in the Kurdistan Region to exceed two million tons. However, Baghdad allocated only 400,000 tons for procurement from the region. As a result, many farmers will market their remaining production through other channels.
The government has also announced wheat prices for this season. Authorities will pay 700,000 Iraqi dinars for each ton produced within the approved agricultural plan. They will pay 500,000 dinars per ton for wheat produced outside the plan.
The procurement program plays an important role in supporting farmers across the Kurdistan Region. It helps growers secure a stable market for their crops. The program also supports Iraq’s food security strategy by increasing local grain supplies. Farmers are now preparing their harvests for delivery. Meanwhile, silo operators and agricultural officials continue their final preparations before collections begin.
The new season is expected to provide financial support for thousands of farming families. It will also strengthen the agricultural sector and encourage wheat production throughout the Kurdistan Region.
