Harvesting of the 2002 wheat crop, the main cereal, has only started. Normal to abundant rains in March and April helped the developing crop which had previously been affected by prolonged dry weather, with the exception of the northwestern areas which had normal rainfall at planting. Production of about 2 million tonnes of wheat is tentatively forecast which is close to the 2001 bumper crop. An above-average barley output as in the previous year, is also anticipated.
Imports of wheat in marketing year 2002/03 (July/June) are forecast at 4.6 million tonnes in response to the steady demand for this important staple. Food aid from the international community continues to be provided to refugees from Western Sahara.
Harvesting of the 2002 winter grain and pulse crops has been completed. Output from the irrigated wheat crop is provisionally estimated at an above-average 6.6 million tonnes. Barley should also be above average at 277 000 tonnes. Production of maize is an average 6.2 million tonnes. Planting of this year’s paddy crop is about to start and larger plantings than 2001 are anticipated.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2002/03 (July/June) are tentatively forecast to increase from 6.2 million tonnes in 2001/02 (July/June) to about 6.8 million tonnes, reflecting strong demand for this food staple.
Despite normal rains in the first half of March, moisture deficits are still reported in the main cereal growing areas, with reduced plantings and yields. Some 600 000 hectares of rainfed crops in the south and central parts are officially reported to have been affected by inadequate precipitation. By contrast, growing conditions are reported as favourable for the irrigated crops, particularly in the east and north of the country, where water reservoirs are at normal levels. Overall prospects are, however, unfavourable. Harvesting of the 2002 cereal crops has just started in the south and production of wheat is forecast at 1.7 million tonnes compared to 3.3 million tonnes in 2001 and 2.7 million tonnes average of the last five years. Barley output is also forecast to be below average.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2002/03 (July/June) are anticipated to increase from 3 million tonnes last year to about 3.5 million tonnes. Coarse grain imports, mainly maize, are also expected to increase from 1.6 to 1.8 million tonnes.
Normal rains in May benefited the 2002 cereal crops which had been seriously affected by dry weather. Aggregate cereal production is expected to decline from the average level in 2001. Harvesting has only started and production of wheat, the main cereal, is provisionally forecast to decrease from last year’s 1.1 million tonnes to some 500 000 tonnes. A below-average barley output is also anticipated.
Wheat imports in marketing year 2002/03 (July/June) should, nevertheless, remain close to the 1.2 million tonnes in marketing year 2001/02. The shortfall in production is expected to be met by drawing from last year’s carry-over stocks.