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.