Temporary ban on rice imports has been lifted from Nov. 22 up until July 22, 2018, as per a directive by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade. Every year and during the rice harvest season, the government bans rice imports in support of local farmers and production. Import tariffs have increased from 22% four years ago to 40% at present for the same reason. Iranians consume 3 million tons of rice a year while domestic production stands at 2.2 million tons. Therefore, there is need for around 800,000 tons of imports every year.