Farmers in Hasakah Face Severe Delays in Wheat Payments

The wheat marketing season in Syria’s Hasakah Governorate, which began on June 11, 2026, has been marred by financial and logistical challenges, leaving farmers in distress. Despite preparations, including 20-21 collection centers and an electronic registration system, delayed payments have become a major issue. Hasakah accounted for 42% of Syria’s total wheat receipts in June, with the government setting the purchase price for first-grade durum wheat at 46,000 new Syrian pounds per ton, roughly $330-340 at parallel-market rates.

Farmers report significant delays in receiving payments for their crops, creating severe economic hardship. Mutaab Issa, a farmer, stated that he delivered four truckloads of wheat on June 16 but has yet to receive any payment. He rejected partial installments, arguing that they would not cover his outstanding debts, including costs for harvesting, tractors, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Issa warned that continued delays could force farmers to abandon their land.

Another crisis involves farmers who redirected their shipments to silos in rural Damascus to avoid delays in Hasakah. Ismail Mohammed, a farmer, said his wheat was inspected and receipts were issued, but invoices were later suspended without explanation. He criticized the lack of accountability for alleged corruption within the silos, emphasizing that farmers are unfairly burdened by the investigations.

In response to the crisis, officials at a meeting in Hasakah pledged to pay all outstanding wheat invoices by the end of October 2026. They attributed the delays to exceptional circumstances, including silos filled with older produce and ongoing reviews of complaints. However, farmers remain skeptical, fearing the crisis may persist into next year.