Iran announced Tuesday it was self-sufficient in wheat production after 45 years of importing the commodity, state-run television reported. "Self-reliance in the global wheat market, which Westerners dominate, serves Iran's national security and interests," the broadcast quoted President Mohammad Khatami as saying. Iran has produced 14 million tons of wheat, making the yield more than its average domestic consumption of 11 million tons in the current year, the report added. "Self-sufficiency in wheat production is the first step toward reaching the same goal in other agricultural commodities," Khatami said. Iran imported about 10 million tons of wheat in 1998. It launched its wheat self-sufficiency campaign in 2001. Iran said it plans to export surplus quantities, but was studying the market.
