Iraq concludes an agreement with America to fill the rice gap

The Iraqi Ministry of Trade said on Saturday that it will buy rice under an agreement with the United States to provide supplies for its rationing program and that it will enter into agreements next week with local companies to supply sugar and vegetable oils.

Under the existing agreement, the past years have seen Iraq invite companies to bid for US-origin rice only.

Iraq needs between 1 million and 1.25 million tons of rice annually to support the program. In May, the ministry said Iraq had only 190,000 tons of rice available in warehouses and renewed its appeals for more state budget funds.

The Iraqi food benefits program covers flour, rice, cooking oil and sugar. It was launched in 1991 to counter the economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations on the country.

Source: Reuters