Unprecedented Drought in Syria Triggers Looming Food Crisis

Unprecedented Drought in Syria Triggers Looming Food Crisis
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A severe drought, the worst in 36 years, threatens to trigger a major food crisis in Syria, a country already grappling with the aftermath of a 14-year civil war. The drought has slashed wheat production by up to 40%, complicating efforts to rebuild the nation, France 24 reported.

According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), an estimated three million Syrians could face severe hunger. The WFP also stated that over half of the country’s population of 25.6 million is currently food insecure. A report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in June estimated a wheat deficit of 2.73 million tons this year—enough to feed about 16 million people for a year.

The government, which has struggled with severe financial pressures, has not announced any major grain import deals. Instead, it has relied on small-scale contracts with local importers, totaling only around 200,000 tons. A government official, speaking anonymously, revealed that this season’s domestic wheat purchases amounted to just 373,500 tons—less than half of last year’s total. The source estimated that Syria needs to import 2.55 million tons this year to meet its needs.

According to Tony Attal, the FAO’s representative in Syria, “Half of the population is exposed to additional suffering due to the scarcity of bread, which is the most important food in the current crisis.” Syria has received only limited emergency aid, including 220,000 tons of wheat from Iraq and 500 tons of flour from Ukraine.

The FAO data indicates that Syria’s annual wheat consumption is about four million tons, but this year’s local production is projected to fall to just 1.2 million tons. Farmers describe the situation as dire, with one from Homs stating, “I haven’t faced a year this bad since I started farming in the 1960s.” Another farmer from Al-Hasakah added, “We planted 100 dunams and harvested nothing at all.”

Despite a government effort to incentivize farmers by offering a price of $450 per ton, a source noted that payment delays have hindered imports, despite recent sanctions relief. Russia, which was the main wheat supplier under the previous regime, has reportedly stopped its shipments since December due to payment delays and a lack of trust in the new government.