SAUDI ARABIA (1 June)
The 2005 wheat crop which is just harvested is forecast at about 1.2 million tonnes compared to the previous year’s 1.6 million tonnes. Local barley production has virtually ceased since 2003 as farmers did not find the Government Purchase Price (GPP) of US$267.67/tonne attractive enough.
Imports of coarse grains (mainly barley and maize) in 2004/05 (July/June) are forecast at 7.7 million tonnes, about 4 percent below the previous year due to improved pasture.