IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF (5 June)
Harvesting of wheat and planting of the paddy crop due for harvest from August are underway in Iran. The 2003 wheat output is estimated at 12.8 million tonnes, 2.8 percent and 26.4 percent above the previous year and the average of previous five years, respectively, mainly due to the favorable weather resulting in the higher yield. Two consecutive good harvests after several years of drought have significantly improved the country’s wheat supply situation. The wheat import in 2003/04 is forecast at 2.2 million tonnes, compared to an average of 6.5 million tonnes from 1999/00 to 2001/02.
Prospects for rice, barley, and maize production in 2003 are also expected to be favorable. The output of paddy, barley, and maize are forecast at 2.8 million tonnes, 3 million tonnes, and 1.25 million tonnes, respectively. The total cereal import requirement in 2003/04 is forecast at 4.13 million tonnes down from 4.43 million tonnes a year earlier and 8.93 million tonnes two years ago.