Today, Tuesday, September 24th, the Ministry of Economy in the Syrian Interim Government (SIG) announced a delivery bonus of USD 15 per ton of wheat for the Eastern Region branch for the 2024 agricultural season.

According to Ministry Resolution No. “602,” reviewed by Enab Baladi, the bonus amount is added to the gross price per ton of wheat and is not subject to deductions.

Wheat is being received at the Ras al-Ain center and Sukhrat Silo, with the institution covering the unloading costs at its locations.

This decision applies to the quantities of wheat marketed to the institution’s centers in the Eastern Region branch effective today, Tuesday, until October 15th.

After delaying the announcement of the price for hard wheat, the Interim Government set, at the end of last July, the price per ton of first-grade hard wheat at USD 245, second grade at USD 240, and third grade at USD 235, while the fourth-grade price is determined based on the percentage of impurities and dirt.

Farmers considered these prices to be unfair and lower than the actual production costs of seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and labor in an area that relies heavily on agriculture.

Before pricing

Before the Interim Government announced the pricing, a ton of hard wheat was sold at the farm at prices ranging from USD 230 to USD 235, without any additional costs for transport, fees, or waiting.

Payment was made directly to the farmer by the trader, but after the government’s pricing announcement, prices dropped to USD 190 per ton for first-grade wheat, which negatively affected the buying and selling activities.

First-grade soft wheat prices also did not satisfy farmers. Last June, the Interim Government set the price per ton for first-grade soft wheat at USD 220, second grade at USD 215, and third grade at USD 210, without specifying the price for hard wheat.

A USD 5 bonus per ton was previously added to the prices in Tel Abyad and Ras al-Ain, which were the lowest wheat purchasing prices among the four control areas in Syria.

Agriculture, along with livestock raising, is one of the primary occupations of the majority of the residents of Ras al-Ain and constitutes a major source of income for the population.

Agricultural crops in Ras al-Ain face marketing difficulties, trader control, and the absence of governmental agencies in purchasing strategic crops in the area.