Govt has purchased 8.8 MMT of wheat worth 115 trillion rials ($2.95 billion) from local farmers across the country so far in the current crop year. Every year, the government buys certain strategic crops, including wheat, from local farmers at guaranteed prices, to build up its strategic reserves and control prices in the domestic market. Despite low precipitation and the severe frost experienced last fall, wheat production has experienced growth compared with the corresponding period of last year. GTC is a government-owned company specialized in the purchase, import and distribution of essential foodstuff. It is the lever for enforcing market controls. The company is also in charge of maintaining a supply of wheat, rice, cooking oil and meat, as the country’s strategic reserve of essential commodities.