Syrian Farmers Pin Hopes on Sanctions Relief to Revive Drought-Stricken Agriculture

Severe drought threatens 75% of Syria’s wheat harvest, exacerbating food insecurity for millions. Farmers and officials now look to potential sanctions relief from the U.S. and EU to revive irrigation infrastructure and stabilize the war-torn agricultural sector.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that Syria faces a catastrophic wheat shortfall of 2.7 million tons this year—enough to feed 16.3 million people—as drought devastates 75% of crops, Arab News reported. Farmers in Aleppo describe failed harvests due to erratic rainfall and depleted irrigation systems, compounding struggles from years of conflict.

Historically reliant on Russian wheat imports under Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s supply chain collapsed after Moscow halted shipments following his ouster. The new government, grappling with fuel and import shortages, has pushed for sanctions relief to rebuild agriculture. Recent signals from Washington and Brussels offer cautious optimism: U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to lift sanctions, while the EU considers easing economic restrictions, having already relaxed energy and reconstruction-related measures.

FAO representative Toni Ettel emphasized that funding could modernize irrigation and infrastructure, critical for recovery. However, Syria’s agriculture ministry remains silent on mitigation plans. With 13 years of war and climate shocks crippling production, sanctions relief may be the lifeline farmers need—though questions persist about equitable recovery under transitional governance.