Syria's Wheat War: Government Outbids SDF!

May 12, 2025 – The Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry has set this year’s purchase price for first-grade hard wheat raw at $320 per ton, while the SDF-affiliated Autonomous Administration has offered farmers $420 per ton, already beginning to receive shipments.

In response, President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 78, granting farmers an additional $130 per ton as an incentive for selling wheat to the state-run Syrian Grain Establishment. This raises the effective government price to $450 per ton, surpassing the SDF’s offer.

The pricing battle highlights the strategic importance of wheat in Syria, where production has plummeted after years of war. With bread being a critical staple, its cost has surged from 400 SYP per bundle (10 medium loafs) under Assad to 4,000 SYP following Assad's fall and liberating market. 

Bread Prices Drop in Some Provinces After WFP Deal

Meanwhile, the price of a bread bundle fell from 4,000 SYP to 2,400 SYP in several provinces (excluding Damascus and its countryside) after the World Food Programme (WFP) agreed to supply flour to bakeries. The aid will prioritize the most vulnerable regions before expanding nationwide.

The fluctuating wheat and bread prices underscore Syria’s deepening economic struggles and the ongoing power struggle between Damascus and the SDF over resources and governance.

SDF Delays Key Agreements Amid Political Maneuverings

Despite the March 10 al-Sharaa-Abdi agreement, which outlined the transfer of oil fields, the Tishrin Dam, and border crossings to Damascus, the SDF has stalled implementation. Instead, it has introduced new demands—such as decentralization and Kurdish constitutional rights—not originally part of the deal.

In a recent development, the SDF negotiated with Damascus to allow students in its territories to take exams under the Syrian curriculum, signaling limited cooperation while broader disputes remain unresolved.

Moumin Sawady