A ship loaded with imported soft wheat arrived at Tartus Port (on Syria’s Mediterranean coast) on Sunday, August 17.

Mazen Alloush, Director of Relations at the General Authority of Land and Sea Ports, told Enab Baladi that unloading operations began Sunday morning for the vessel, which is carrying 6,600 tons of imported soft wheat.

He explained that this shipment comes as part of efforts to meet local market needs for this staple commodity and to strengthen Syria’s food security.

According to Alloush, this vessel is the 13th wheat shipment to arrive at Tartus Port since the fall of the former regime, bringing the total volume received so far to around 136,000 tons.

He noted that wheat imports fall within ongoing efforts to secure essential goods for citizens, with coordination among relevant authorities to ensure timely delivery to mills and distribution centers.

“All unloading operations are proceeding smoothly thanks to the equipped berths and specialized technical staff, ensuring speed and quality of work,” he added.

Alloush stressed that Tartus Port is ready to receive additional wheat shipments in the coming period, boosting the efficiency of food security measures.

Ban on wheat entry during harvest season

Earlier this year, the General Authority of Land and Sea Ports banned the entry of wheat through all crossings during the 2025 harvest season at the request of the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry.

The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on June 23 that the decision aimed to avoid overlap between the purchase of local and imported wheat during the marketing season, given the presidential support provided to Syrian farmers.

At the time, the ministry affirmed its commitment to ensuring that farmers receive their full dues for this year’s crop without obstacles.

Weather and economic conditions, however, point to a likely drop in wheat production this season, amid the absence of clear government alternatives for sourcing wheat from multiple suppliers as in past years, raising concerns about the stability of bread supplies.

Incentive bonus for farmers

On June 11, Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, issued Decree No. 78 of 2025, granting farmers who deliver their wheat to the Syrian Grain Establishment an incentive bonus of $130 per ton, in addition to the purchase price set by the Ministry of Economy and Industry.

During the annual wheat marketing meeting on May 14 at the General Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, preparations for the 2025 season and related proposals were discussed.

Production estimates

Hassan al-Othman, Director General of the Syrian Grain Establishment, said earlier that wheat production this year is expected to exceed 750,000 tons, most of it from irrigated land.

For his part, Hassan Suleiman, Assistant Director for Marketing Affairs at the establishment, outlined measures taken to prepare for the season, including the launch of financial and accounting training programs for new staff across branches.

According to the report, 37 collection centers have been opened across Syrian provinces: four in Damascus, three in Homs, eight in Hama, eight in Aleppo, one each in Raqqa, Tartus, and Latakia, two in Daraa, two in Deir Ezzor, two in Idlib, three in Suwayda, and two in the Eastern Grain region.