JORDAN (11 February)
The sowing of the 2004/05 winter grains was completed last December under generally good weather conditions. Favourable rains and snow cover have helped restore soil moisture.
Aggregate production of wheat and barley in 2004 was estimated at 25 000 tonnes, more than 56 percent below the average of the previous five years. This is mainly due to last year’s severe drought conditions that affected most parts of the country. Domestic cereal production normally meets only a small proportion of consumption requirements the rest being covered by imports. Imports of wheat in 2004/05 (July/June) are forecast at 860 000 tonnes, about 10 percent higher than the previous year. Coarse grain imports are forecast at 900 000 tonnes, similar to 2003/04.