DAMASCUS, SYRIA — A better-than-expected wheat crop may result in Syria cutting imports by as much as 50% this year, the Syrian Minister of Agriculture told Reuters.

Mohammed Qatana said the development was “very good news,” but did not divulge to Reuters the projected production totals for this year’s crop.

The ongoing civil war in Syria, which began in 2011, and climate change have contributed to a decline in wheat production and more dependence on imports in recent years. Last year, Syria imported about 1.5 million tonnes, according to data from Refinitiv.

Syria has the sixth-highest number of food-insecure people in the world, according to the World Food Progamme, which estimates that 12.1 million Syrians — more than half the population — are in the grip of hunger. Another 2.9 million people are at risk of becoming food insecure — a 52% increase over last year.