Bread Shortages Have Begun In Iran
- 5.03.2026, 11:14
After the cessation of grain supplies from Russia.
Bakeries in Iran have started stopping production and closing down amid war with the US and Israel. The head of the Islamic Republic's Chamber of Commerce and Industry Samad Hassanzadeh stated that authorities intend to take action against such businesses. According to him, there are no problems with the supply of flour for bakers in the country, and the process of distribution to all regional centers and tourist cities has already been completed. At the same time, if bakers use up the day's quota, they can continue baking bread at the expense of flour the next day, Hasanzadeh emphasized.
In early March, Russia temporarily halted grain shipments to Iran due to rising freight rates as well as payment problems, sources told Reuters. "There is a need for supplies, but for now they have been suspended. Although, I think they will be resumed at the first opportunity for both feed and food groups," one of the agency's interlocutors noted. According to the estimation of Rusagrotrans analysts, the main volume of wheat has already been delivered to Iran this season - about 1.9 million tons out of the potential import of 2.0-2.2 million tons. However, Iran may need more wheat due to crop problems.
The Islamic republic as a whole may face food shortages due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, said Kpler analyst Ishash Bhanu. Iran grows much of its agricultural produce itself, but imports a lot of grain and oilseeds, which are used to make edible oil and high-protein meal for feed, he said. In addition, virtually all corn, as well as large quantities of soybeans and wheat, come through the Strait of Hormuz. In case of a prolonged conflict, sugar and tea will also be in short supply, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) experts believe.
On March 3, Iran imposed a complete ban on exports of food and agricultural products in order to provide the population with necessary goods. A day earlier, Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Gezelje urged the country's citizens to refrain from buying food. Prior to the war with the US and Israel, authorities said the country had a strategic wheat reserve of 4 million tons, enough for four months.