BAGHDAD - A delay in approval of Iraq's budget due to a political deadlock has hampered the signing of new grain contracts, Iraqi trade ministry sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
Iraq, a major Middle East wheat and rice buyer, has enough strategic stocks of rice and wheat to last for two months, the sources said.
The ministry was not immediately available for official comment.
The sources said strategic wheat stocks would last until April when the local harvest season begins.
(Reporting by Moayed Kenany; Writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Susan Fenton) ((Maha.Dahan@thomsonreuters.com; + 9712 4082101; Reuters Messaging: maha.dahan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
