ALEPPO, Syria — Recent remarks by Syrian Agriculture Minister Mohammad Hassan Qatana on a decline in wheat production have raised fears that a full-fledged bread crisis is on its way in Syria. 

Qatana told the Syrian government-affiliated Al-Watan news site May 17, “Wheat yields are not enough to meet all needs [of the population].” This means Syrians will likely be waiting in long lines outside bakeries.

On May 21, Qatana told Radio Sham FM, which is close to the government, “This year, the drought was severe for several reasons, including the decrease of precipitation rates by 50% to 70%, depending on the provinces." He said precipitation in Hasakah fell by more than 50% and that temperatures rose, increasing the rate of evaporation.

He added, “Syria has not seen such a drought in years. In previous years, drought was witnessed in one or two provinces only, while this year, all provinces have been affected, which severely impacted agriculture. Winter crops, namely wheat and barley, whose production is strategic, were very much affected, especially in rain-fed areas.”