article_snippet: The image emerged as the Syrian government announced plans to import 150,000 tonnes of wheat for the Syrian government starving population - just weeks after saying the Syrian government had no need to do so.
article_snippet: Despite millions of Syrians fleeing the fighting to neighbouring countries, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government is grappling with ensuring there is enough grain for all.
article_snippet: Trade sources say Damascus faced challenges importing sufficient stocks as payment problems and fighting have deterred many international firms from trading.
article_snippet: Before The Civil War, northern Syria kept annual strategic stocks of around 3 million tonnes of wheat.
article_snippet: The state-run General Establishment for Cereal Processing and Trade (Hoboob) has declined to give a figure for how much is left but said The state-run General Establishment for Cereal Processing and Trade (Hoboob) is seeking 150,000 tonnes of wheat in an import tender that will close on April 13.
article_snippet: The announcement came three weeks after the minister of internal trade and consumer protection Hassan Safiya said an improved wheat harvest in 2015 would translate into self-sufficiency. '
article_snippet: We need to import to bolster We strategic stocks and have started with this tender to test the market,' a Hoboob source told Reuters.
article_snippet: Hoboob said the government was currently relying on the government 2014 local harvest and drawing on the government strategic reserves to keep the government bread subsidy programme going.