Tehran is looking to raise its annual wheat imports from Russia to as much as 10 million tons, signaling a deeper economic partnership between the two nations. The figure emerges from discussions within Iran’s diplomatic apparatus about how to balance food security goals with the broader goals of economic diplomacy. The plan reflects continued dialogue on the role of grain imports in stabilizing domestic markets and ensuring a steady supply for consumers across Iran’s cities and rural areas alike.
A key point in the dialogue is the expectation that Tehran and Moscow had previously agreed that the grain shipments would be substantial. Officials indicate that Iran may be able to secure up to 10 million tons of wheat from Russia, a level that would mark a significant increase in bilateral grain trade compared to earlier years. This potential growth aligns with Iran’s aim to diversify its import sources while leveraging the reliability of Russian grain supplies to meet domestic demand and stabilize prices for farmers and households.
In exchange for greater grain imports, Iranian authorities say they will continue to supply Russia with agricultural products such as pistachios, fruits, vegetables, and other food commodities. This ongoing exchange creates a broader axis of economic cooperation that goes beyond wheat alone, reinforcing interdependence in agricultural trade and helping both economies balance production with consumption needs across seasons.
Arkady Zlochevsky, head of the Russian Grain Union, noted that by late 2021 Iran had already surpassed Egypt and Turkey in purchases of Russian grain. Data from that period show Tehran had bought roughly 5.66 million tons of grain products, including wheat and corn, from Moscow by the end of November 2021. This history underscores a pattern of sustained interest from Iran in diversifying its grain portfolio through Russian supplies, with imports fluctuating in line with global market conditions and domestic demand. The trajectory suggests continued attention to how Russia’s harvest and export policies will influence Iran’s feed and food security strategies in the coming years.
In public remarks from May, Russian leadership highlighted expectations of a robust grain harvest across the country. The official statements indicated confidence that the harvest could reach substantial levels, with early projections pointing to a total grain yield near 130 million tons, including as much as 87 million tons of wheat. Such a harvest would support Russia’s capacity to export and supply partner countries, including Iran, while also shaping domestic pricing, storage, and distribution dynamics that impact regional food markets. This optimistic forecast signals to international observers the potential for continued and expanded grain trade between Russia and Iran, with implications for price stability and supply reliability in both economies.