Iraq intends to expand the area planted to wheat by 20 percent, but production may not follow. But like much of the Middle East, wheat output is highly dependent on rainfall. Production in Iraq has been far more volatile than the area under sowing. Climate change may worsen crop output.  Wars and political strife do not help and seeking to fill the void caused by Black Sea disruptions is understandable. Alternative approaches include increased investment in irrigation, or producing and exporting higher value alternative crop to trade for wheat grown more easily elsewhere. After all, Iraq and other countries correctly and effectively use wheat imports as a one-for-one substitution for domestic shortfalls. But food security is always fa...

TAGS – Wheat, Middle East & Africa