ALGERIA (18 September)
Normal seasonal dry weather prevails, although some normal to relatively abundant rains have been reported in the past 3 months, particularly in the central areas of the country. Harvesting of the 2003 cereal crops has been completed and aggregate cereal production is provisionally estimated at a record high of 4.3 million tonnes, a significant recovery from the 2002 drought-affected crop levels of only 1.9 million tonnes. About 3 million tonnes of wheat have been harvested, compared to 1.5 million tonnes the year before and the five-year average of 1.6 million tonnes. Barley output, used mainly for feed, also increased from 358 000 tonnes to more than 1 million tonnes.
Wheat imports for the marketing year 2003/04 (July/June) are expected to decrease over last year’s volume of 4.9 million tonnes to some 3.9 million tonnes, reflecting production increases. Maize imports should decrease by 100 000 tonnes from the 1.7 million tonnes volume imported in marketing year 2002/03 (July/June).