BAGHDAD  - Iraq's trade ministry said on Monday it bought 4.38 million tonnes of local wheat so far this season.

Iraq, a major Middle East grain importer, started buying its local crop on April 15.

The season is expected to end at the start of August.

(Reporting by Moayed Kenany; writing by Maha El Dahan; editing by Jason Neely) ((Maha.Dahan@thomsonreuters.com; + 9712 4082101; Reuters Messaging: maha.dahan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))