Why is wheat often described as the “bread of the poor” in Syria? And how did a country that once came close to self-sufficiency in wheat become heavily dependent on imports and vulnerable to bread shortages?
In this episode of “Geopolitics and a Touch of Logic,” journalist and researcher Issam Khoury examines the wheat crisis in Syria from an economic, political, and strategic perspective. The discussion explains how Syria’s wheat production, which reached nearly 4 million tons annually before 2011, has declined sharply in recent years, creating an estimated deficit of around 3 million tons and deepening the pressure on ordinary Syrian families.
The episode explores the roots of the crisis, including the impact of war, climate change, soil degradation, water shortages, weak agricultural planning, and the absence of stable institutions capable of supporting farmers and protecting food security. It also looks at the global wheat market and the difficult choices Syria faces between importing from Russia, Ukraine, or other suppliers amid rising transportation, insurance, and financing costs.
Beyond numbers and statistics, the episode raises a central question:
Should Syria return to strong state support for strategic crops, or move toward an open market model?
The answer may lie in a balanced approach that protects the poor, encourages farmers to return to production, and treats wheat not only as a commodity, but as a matter of national security.
This episode aims to open a realistic public discussion about one of the most urgent issues affecting Syrians today: the cost, availability, and quality of daily bread.
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