FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/01 - EGYPT (12 November)

EGYPT (12 November)

Harvesting of the 2001 coarse grain and paddy crops is well advanced while planting of the irrigated wheat crop is due to start in the next few weeks. The general state of the crops is reported to be normal. An average wheat crop was harvested in 2001. Coarse grain output for the year is provisionally estimated at 7.4 million tonnes, slightly below last year’s above-average level, while paddy production is expected to be average at 5.4 million tonnes (3.7 million tonnes in milled rice equivalent).

Imports of wheat in marketing year 2001/02 (July/June) are forecast to increase from the previous year’s 6.2 million tonnes to 6.6 million tonnes in response to strong domestic demand and despite the considerable increase in price caused by higher international transportation costs. By contrast, maize imports are anticipated to decline from the precedent year’s relatively high level.