Syria receives first shipments of Ukrainian wheat under series of contracts

Two vessels carrying Ukrainian wheat have arrived in Syrian ports: 16,000 tons in Latakia and 21,500 tons in Tartus, according to Abdul Wahhab al-Safar, Director of Domestic Trade and Consumer Protection in Latakia and Tartus provinces, and Mazen Alloush of the General Directorate of Ports.

The shipments are part of a series of contracts signed by the Syrian Grain Agency. The main goal of the imports is to boost strategic wheat reserves and ensure uninterrupted flour supplies to state and private bakeries across the country. Additional deliveries are expected soon to cover domestic demand throughout the year.

Wheat production in Syria dropped sharply in the 2024/25 season due to drought, lack of rainfall, and climate change. Actual output reached only 25% of the average, or around 750,000 tons, compared with 2 million tons last year. Before 2011, Syria produced 3–4 million tons annually, allowing it to export surpluses, particularly to Europe.

Farmers are increasingly abandoning wheat due to the high costs of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and fuel, coupled with low farm-gate prices. With expensive irrigation and little support, they often sell wheat before harvest as livestock feed.

Earlier, Syria failed to complete an international tender to import 100,000 tons of wheat, though part of the volume — 6,600 tons from russia — has already arrived. Following the easing of sanctions, imports became simpler and cheaper thanks to direct bank transfers.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, Syria requires 4 million tons of wheat annually, leaving an 80% shortfall to cover domestic demand.

In August, investigative journalist Kateryna Yaresko of the SeaKrime project (Myrotvorets Center) reported that the Comoros-flagged bulk carrier DAMAS WAVE (formerly GOLDEN YARA, IMO: 8915299) has been making regular trips between occupied Feodosia and the Syrian port of Tartus. According to her, this was the third voyage delivering stolen Ukrainian grain to Syria.