SAUDI ARABIA (1 May)
The 2003/04 wheat crop, about to be harvested, is forecast at about 1.6 million tonnes compared to last year’s 2 million tonnes. Local barley production has virtually ceased as farmers did not find the Government Purchase Price (GPP) of US$267.67/tonne attractive enough. The decision to stop local barley production subsidy took effect in this cropping season.
Imports of coarse grains (mainly barley and maize) in 2003/04 (July/June) are forecast at 7.2 million tonnes, slightly higher than the previous year.