Iran's agriculture minister says guaranteed wheat purchases passed 7 million tonnes and links basic-goods inflation to the change in how subsidies are paid

Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, Iran's minister of agriculture, said on the evening of Tuesday, 28 July 2026 (6 Mordad 1405), after a meeting with the parliamentary planning, budget and audit commission, that guaranteed wheat purchases have passed 7 million tonnes. According to Eghtesad Online citing IRNA, he added that payments owed to wheat farmers are being processed and that members of parliament were assured the country's strategic reserves are in good condition.

Asked about the rising cost of basic goods, the minister said that on the figures presented at the meeting no staple is generally being sold above the equilibrium price set by the market regulation headquarters. He said one of the main reasons prices are higher than last year is price reform and the change in how subsidies are paid: the subsidy that used to go to importers at the start of the chain is now allocated to households as food coupon credit.

He attributed another part of the increase to war conditions, restrictions and economic siege, saying these have sharply raised transport costs alongside higher global prices. The same meeting reviewed the agriculture sector's revenues and spending and projects for more efficient water use.