Dry weather in the first three weeks of January was followed by favourable rainfall in the last week of the month which improved growing conditions. Aggregate production of wheat and barley in 1996 is estimated at 67 000 tons, some 26 percent down from last year’s poor harvest. Potato production in 1996, estimated at 110 000 tons, was 12 000 tons higher than last year.
Wheat imports in 1995/96 were estimated at 538 000 tons, some 13 percent lower than last year. Maize and barley imports in 1995/96 (July/June) are estimated at 0.94 million tons. The import of rice in 1996 is estimated at 90 000 tons. Imports of wheat in 1996/97 (July/June) are forecast at 0.43 million tons, some 20 percent lower than the previous year.