Harvest Delivered, Payment Delayed
Many wheat farmers in Syria are still waiting to be paid for grain they delivered to the state in June 2026. Some have gone more than four months without full settlement, leaving them short of the money they need as the next planting season approaches.
The gap between delivery and payment has become a central concern for growers who rely on the state as the main buyer of their crop, and for whom the harvest payment is often the year's single largest source of income.
Only 37 Percent Settled
The Syrian Grain Establishment, which operates under the Ministry of Economy and Industry, received about 2.75 million tonnes of wheat during the 2026 season. As of 13 October 2026, it had paid for only 37 percent of the wheat it procured.
That leaves the value of roughly two-thirds of the procured crop still owed to farmers, a backlog that has built up over the months since the crop was handed over.
Cash and Banking Bottlenecks
Officials have cited two main factors behind the delay: a shortage of available cash and difficulties faced by state banks in processing the payments. Together, these obstacles have slowed the flow of funds to growers.
The combination points to wider strains in the state's ability to move money through its banking channels quickly enough to meet its obligations to suppliers.
Withdrawals in Small Amounts
Part of the money owed is being disbursed through the Cham Cash digital payment application. Daily withdrawal limits on the service have forced farmers to make several trips to collect their funds in installments rather than receiving the full amount at once.
Pressure on the Next Planting Season
The timing is difficult for the farm sector, which depends on prompt payment to finance the inputs needed for the following cycle. Delayed settlement can leave growers without the cash to prepare their land.
If the backlog persists, the strain risks carrying over into Syria's next wheat crop, with knock-on effects for a staple that underpins domestic food supply.