Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA/AFRICA – MEA REGION Iran has proposed to Russia that grain shipments can be made from Russia to third countries using “safe, alternative” Iran routes. Iranian officials say that this Russia/Iran route is yet to be used but that progress is being made. Iran’s failure to announce new “guaranteed purchase prices” for wheat is causing farmers to hold off on planting the winter wheat crop. Prices were originally to be announced in late July but so far there has been no announcement. Iran is the world’s second largest per capita consumer of bread, so the wheat crop is of major importance. Total wheat consumption is stated as 14 MMT with the govern...