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Iraq Has Only 190,000 Tons of Rice Left for Food Program

An Iraqi farmer plants amber rice in the Mishkhab region, central Iraq. (AFP)
An Iraqi farmer plants amber rice in the Mishkhab region, central Iraq. (AFP)
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Iraq Has Only 190,000 Tons of Rice Left for Food Program

An Iraqi farmer plants amber rice in the Mishkhab region, central Iraq. (AFP)
An Iraqi farmer plants amber rice in the Mishkhab region, central Iraq. (AFP)

Iraq has only 190,000 tons of rice available in its coffers for its food rationing program, the trade ministry said in a statement late on Saturday.

The country needs around 1-1.25 million tons of rice a year to support the program.

In March, the trade ministry pleaded for money from the state's budget to build three months' supply of strategic wheat and rice stockpiles as Iraq grappled with the spread of the new coronavirus.

The ministry on Saturday renewed its call for more funds, saying the allocations were crucial, despite "difficulties" with the budget, because many Iraqis are "struggling to provide their daily food due to tough economic conditions amid the coronavirus crisis".

Iraq, a major Middle East wheat and rice buyer, was politically gridlocked after former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was ousted by nationwide anti-corruption protests, hampering efforts to get a state budget approved before the start of the calendar year, said Reuters.

Iraq's grain board, which falls under the trade ministry, holds regular international tenders to import wheat and rice for the rationing program, which also covers cooking oil, flour and sugar.

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IMF Team Makes First Syria Visit Since 2009

Syrians attend Eid al-Adha prayers in the courtyard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Damascus, Syria, 06 June 2025. (EPA)
Syrians attend Eid al-Adha prayers in the courtyard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Damascus, Syria, 06 June 2025. (EPA)
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IMF Team Makes First Syria Visit Since 2009

Syrians attend Eid al-Adha prayers in the courtyard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Damascus, Syria, 06 June 2025. (EPA)
Syrians attend Eid al-Adha prayers in the courtyard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Damascus, Syria, 06 June 2025. (EPA)

An IMF team visited Syria for the first time since 2009 to take part in efforts to rebuild the economy after years of civil war and the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the lender said Tuesday.

The International Monetary Fund's trip to Damascus took place from June 1 to June 5, and its team sought to discuss authorities' priorities and how to help achieve them.

Syria's economy and the country are a wreck after 14 years of war under Assad, who was ousted in December.

"Syria faces enormous challenges following years of conflict that caused immense human suffering and reduced its economy to a fraction of its former size," said Ron van Rooden, who led the visit.

Around six million people have fled the country while another seven million have been displaced internally, he noted.

"Output has plummeted, real incomes have fallen sharply, and poverty rates are high," he said, adding that state institutions have also been weakened with much infrastructure destroyed.

"There is great urgency to address these challenges and achieve a sustainable economic recovery," van Rooden said in a statement at the end of the mission.

Much of Syria's infrastructure has been destroyed by the war, which began with a bloody crackdown on peaceful anti-regime protests.

Longtime strongman Assad was ousted in a lightning offensive by opposition factions in December, and Syria's new government has sought to rebuild diplomatic ties, including with international financial institutions.

Last month, the IMF said it had held useful discussions with Syria's economic team.

The Fund's last comprehensive review of the health of the Syrian economy was done in 2009, before the outbreak of the war in 2011.

In April, Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced that they would settle Syria's debt to the World Bank totaling about $15 million.

The World Bank suspended operations in Syria when the war began. The settlement of its arrears will allow it to resume accessing the bank's financial support and technical advice.