SYRIA (2 June)
The output of wheat in 2003, now being harvested, is forecast at 4.5 million tonnes, about 6 percent below last year’s good crop but 16 percent above the average for the previous five years. Barley harvest is also estimated at an above average one million tonnes.
Imports of cereals, mainly wheat, in the just ending marketing year 2002/03 (July/June) are forecast at a total of 1.8 million tonnes, more than a quarter above the previous year.