TURKMENISTAN (2 June)
The prospects for this year’s cereal harvest are favourable, owing much to significantly improved precipitation and water availability. Aggregate cereal harvest is estimated at about 2.1 million tonnes, which is some 100 000 tonnes down on last year’s harvest. This total includes some 2 million tonnes of wheat, 20 000 tonnes of maize and 60 000 tonnes of barley. Area under cereals has steadily increased over the past few years at the expense of cotton and encroachment on virgin lands. Given the forecast harvest materializes, Turkmenistan will be able to meet domestic cereal needs and export a limited quantity of wheat.