Browse Data and Analysis

Import permits for genetically engineered (GE) corn from the United States are once again issued by South Africa. After a mid-summer drought that caused a 22 percent drop in production, South Africa needs to import corn to supplement domestic production.

Jordan continues to rely heavily on imports for essential staples such as wheat, barley, corn, and rice due to limited domestic production and scarce water resources.

Post maintains Algeria’s cereal planted area and production estimates. Post estimates robust wheat imports for MY 2023/24, surpassing nine million metric tons (MMT).

The Government of Morocco has released its final wheat and barley production numbers for the 2024 crop, including 1.77 MMT of common wheat, 0.70 MMT of durum wheat, and 0.65 MMT of barley, about 43 percent down from the previous year’s crop.

Morocco is facing low wheat production in marketing year 2024/25 due to drought. The Ministry of Agriculture forecasts total wheat and barley production at 3.12 million metric tons, about 43 percent down from the previous year’s crop. In response to low production and rising wheat prices globally, the government of Morocco continues to support bread wheat imports based on a fixed flat-rate payment through June 30, 2024.

Post maintains Algeria’s wheat and barley harvested areas unchanged in marketing year (MY) 2024/25. Sensory data shows normal vegetation in the central and eastern regions and below normal crop conditions in the western for the MY2024/25 crop.

The 2024 crop season in Morocco is progressing under difficult conditions. Dry and hot weather during January and February has driven production to record lows, especially in the southern parts of Morocco. Post forecasts MY2024/25 production at 1.55 MMT for common wheat, 0.75 MMT for durum wheat, and 0.65 MMT for barley.

In MY 2024/25, Post forecasts imports by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of all wheat, rice, corn, and barley to increase to meet high local demand. Strong tourism, population growth, and expanding poultry and dairy sectors will drive this demand.

MY2024/25 wheat imports are estimated to reach 1.2 million metric tons as Jordan's government begins filling its strategic grain reserves to mitigate inflationary shocks caused by geopolitical crises. MY2024/25 wheat exports are lowered to 50,000 tons, down 40,000 tons from MY2023/24, as in-kind food assistance programs supplying Syria wind down.

FAS/Tel Aviv (Post) forecasts Israel’s marketing year (MY) 2024/45 wheat imports to increase due a decline in domestic production, a need to increase stocks because of the Israel-Hamas conflict, as well as lower international grain prices.

Favorable winter growing conditions set Tunisia up for an above average 2024 harvest. The wheat and barley crops have developed well entering the most critical growing period in April.

Good vegetation conditions in the east and center regions in Algeria bode for a rebound in MY 2024/25 wheat harvest.