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.
Prospects for the mainly irrigated wheat crop, to be harvested from mid-April 1998, are favourable. Wheat production in 1997 is estimated at about 5.8 million tonnes. Maize output is estimated at 5.9 million tonnes. A few locust swarms may appear on the south-eastern coastal plains during periods of southerly winds. Unless more rains fall, these are likely to continue further north along the coastal plains or move east across the Red Sea.
Imports of wheat and wheat flour in 1997/98 (July/June) are forecast at 6.8 million tonnes and coarse grains imports at 2.6 million tonnes.
Recent light rains in southern and northern Morocco have benefited winter crops which are advancing through the reproductive stage. The prospects for the 1998 harvest in June/July is generally favourable. Isolated solitary adult desert locusts may be present in the extreme south-west and breeding in areas of recent rainfall. Cereal production in 1997, estimated at 4.1 million tonnes, was 60 percent lower than in 1996.
The Government has decided to increase customs duties on wheat imports to 50.6 percent for hard wheat and to 101 percent for soft wheat, to protect local farmers. Imports of wheat in 1997/98 (July/June) are forecast at 2.4 million tonnes.
Rains have been insufficient in northern Tunisia. As a result, crops have had to rely on limited moisture reserves. Generally, prospects for the 1998 winter crop, to be harvested in May/June, are somewhat bleak. Production of cereals in 1997, estimated at 885 000 tonnes, is far below the previous year�s output. Imports of wheat and barley in 1997/98 are forecast at 1.0 million tonnes and 300 000 tonnes, respectively.