Center Back in Service
A state grain collection center in the eastern countryside of Idlib province has completed its first operating season after being brought back into service. The facility, located in Saraqib, took in about 22,000 tons of wheat during the current season, its branch director said on 18 August 2026.
The reactivation came shortly before the start of this year's harvest, ending a stoppage that had lasted 14 years. Officials said returning the center to work has allowed it to directly support the receiving and storage of the local wheat crop.
How the Wheat Is Stored
Of the roughly 22,000 tons received this season, 14,000 tons were placed in the center's covered warehouses and 8,000 tons in designated open-air yards. The site's total estimated capacity across warehouses and yards stands at 65,000 tons.
The center reopened in May 2026 after rehabilitation and refitting work, and is described as a strategic point for gathering and storing wheat in Idlib province.
Relief for Local Farmers
The branch director said the center's return to operation made it easier for farmers to deliver their crops by providing a collection point close to the production areas. That has reduced the burden and cost of hauling grain to distant centers and silos.
The move comes as wheat cultivation has expanded across the province's countryside over the past two seasons, increasing the volume that local facilities must handle.
Plans to Expand Capacity
Officials outlined a future plan to develop the center and improve its storage capacity in the coming season. It includes a project under study to build an on-site horizontal mill with a production capacity of 125,000 tons, which is to be installed in the near future, along with the addition of a new silo.
The stated aim is to support the agricultural sector and add value to the wheat crop by processing more of it closer to where it is grown.