The early outlook for the 1998 grain harvest is satisfactory. Some 96 000 hectares were sown to winter wheat in a timely manner and crop condition is good. It is planned to sow an additional 90 000-100 000 hectares to spring wheat and coarse grains. Against the cereal import requirement of 360 000 tonnes, the country has received bulk food aid allocations of 137 000 to date, part of which is being marketed by auction by the state cereal enterprise ARMWHEAT. Most of the balance will be imported commercially but some people continue to need relief assistance.