Iran forecasts 13.5 million tonnes of wheat production in 2026 as rainfed farming expansion advances

Iran expects wheat production to reach 13.5 million tonnes during the 2026–2027 agricultural year (Iranian calendar year 1405), as the country expands rainfed farming and strengthens domestic agricultural production, as reported by Tehran Times, a TV BRICS partner.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, approximately 10 million tonnes of the projected wheat harvest are expected to be delivered to government procurement centres, supporting national food security and maintaining strategic grain reserves.

Officials said the crop production sector accounts for around 75 per cent of the country's total agricultural output. Alongside wheat, barley production is forecast to increase by around one million tonnes compared with the previous year, further improving the outlook for Iran's cereal sector.

A key priority is the implementation of a five-year national programme for rainfed agriculture, designed to increase sustainable grain production while reducing pressure on groundwater and surface water resources.

By the final year of the programme, Iran aims to produce 6 million tonnes of wheat from rainfed farmland, increasing the share of rainfed wheat from the current 10 per cent to 40 per cent of total national production. The strategy also targets annual production of 600,000 tonnes of oilseeds and an additional one million tonnes of forage crops, supporting both crop diversification and livestock production.

The latest production forecasts highlight Iran's continued focus on strengthening agricultural resilience, improving self-sufficiency in staple crops and expanding sustainable farming practices as part of its long-term food security strategy.