Iran has resumed wheat imports from Caspian Sea countries for the first time in three years, with the arrival of an initial shipment at Amirabad port in northern Mazandaran province, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.

“The first shipment of imported wheat, part of a 30,000-ton import permit and weighing nearly 5,000 tons, has reached Amirabad port and will soon be transferred to provincial silos,” said the head of Mazandaran’s Grain and Commercial Services, as quoted by Tasnim.

The move follows sustained efforts by provincial authorities to diversify wheat supplies and improve food quality amid recurring drought and local production challenges. Officials said mixing imported grain with domestic wheat is expected to enhance flour quality across the province.

Caspian nations including Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are among the region’s key grain producers.

Mazandaran officials also discussed tighter oversight of the flour and bread supply chain, including mandatory GPS and camera systems for flour transport vehicles to prevent diversion and ensure transparency, Tasnim said.

Provincial economic deputy governor Mohammad Ebrahim Toulaei added that Iran aims to strengthen local mills and improve the quality of subsidized bread, while providing loans to bakers for upgrading dual-fuel and backup power equipment.