Financial Tribune- More than 55,200 tons of wheat worth close to $15.45 million were imported from six countries during the five months to August 22, the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration announced.

Russia, with nearly 25,200 tons, was the biggest exporter of the grain to Iran over the period, followed by Switzerland, the UAE, Spain, Turkey and China, the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture’s news portal reported.

Wheat imports are being made while Iran achieved self-sufficiency in the production of the grain last year and placed a ban on imports.

The Agriculture Ministry and the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration had earlier explained that these imports pertain to orders placed before the imposition of the ban on March 20, 2016, citing Iran’s sufficient reserves.

A record 14 million tons of wheat were produced last year, which helped Iran achieve wheat self-sufficiency for the first time in about a decade.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Ali Qanbari says it is estimated that this year too, about 11 million tons of the grain will be purchased and the self-sufficiency attained last year will endure in the current year.