Browse Data and Analysis

Wheat production in marketing year (MY) 2025/26 (July-June) is projected at just over 10,000 metric tons (MT), a decline from the previous year. With only about 5,000 hectares (HA) dedicated to cultivation, Ecuador’s wheat production is insufficient to meet domestic demand and thus dependent on imports.

In 2023, the Government of Ecuador continued to support floor prices for local production of corn, rice, and wheat, but has reduced subsidies for fertilizers, pesticides, and minor equipment for small producers.

Since December 2022, rainfall across most of Iraq has been positive, expected to result in favorable yields and increased production for winter crops wheat and barley, with rice expected to rebound this summer for marketing year (MY) 2023/24.

In 2022, the Government of Ecuador continued to support floor prices for local production of corn, rice, and wheat as well as began subsidizing the price of fertilizers for small producers.

On May 17, the Government of Iraq (GOI) announced higher purchase prices for locally-produced wheat in an effort to incentivize farmers to market their crop to the Ministry of Trade. On June 8, the GOI also passed a food security bill that allows the government to use public funds to meet urgent food needs, including issuing tenders to import wheat.

Continued drought and water shortages is affecting economic activities in Iraq, especially grain production in 2022. The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture cut agricultural cropping in irrigated areas to 50 percent less than the previous year due to shortages in surface water.

The Government of Ecuador continues defining the yearly minimum price for local production of corn, rice, and wheat. The Minister of Agriculture supports the reduction of corn area and the shift to other crops that are mainly focused on the export market.

The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture recently released its 2021 plans for total planted area of summer crops – corn and rice – following approval by the Ministry of Water Resources.

Effective April 15, Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture issued a number of decisions to restrict the transshipment of wheat and barley inside Iraq to limit the entry of crops from unknown sources.

The Government of Ecuador has fully eliminated the support program for corn production, but continues to define the yearly minimum price for producers

Uncertainty of government corn policies and price support mechanisms contributed to decreased production with farmers retiring or shifting to more profitable crops.

Ecuador extended its tariff exemption for soybean meal and wheat imports from all origins for five years, effective January 1, 2020.