The state-run Grain Board of Iraq, under the Ministry of Trade, has recently announced the purchasing prices for the 2018 wheat crop. The price is of IQD 560 000 (as of late March 2018, equivalent to USD 467) per tonne for first quality wheat, IQD 480 000 (USD 400) per tonne for second quality wheat and IQD 420 000 (USD 350) per tonne for grain of lower grade. Purchasing prices remain the same as in 2017, when they were sharply reduced from previous years following lower international oil prices. The wheat purchased is used for the Public Distribution System (PDS), which distributes subsidized basic food rations to the population.