Prospects for the 1998 harvest in May/June remain somewhat bleak as drought continued in winter grain areas of western and central Algeria. Moisture reserves remain limited for crop growth in all areas, and additional moisture is needed to prevent further declines in crop conditions. Scattered adult desert locusts may be present in a few places in the central and southern Sahara, and may breed in areas of recent rainfall or run-off.

Production of cereals in 1997 is estimated at 1.08 million tonnes, compared with 4.6 million tonnes in the previous year. Cereal imports in 1997/98 (July/June) are forecast at about 5.5 million tonnes.