Reflecting unfavourable growing conditions, only some 4.8 million hectares were planted to cereals in 1996/97 season compared with some 6 million hectares in 1995/96. Cereal production in 1997, mainly wheat and barley, is estimated at 3.35 million tons, well down on last year’s record output of 9.7 million tons.
Reflecting the low level of production, imports of wheat in 1997/98 (July/June) are forecast to increase by 1.4 million tons to 2.4 million tons. The value-added tax on sorghum and maize has been reduced from 20 percent to 7 percent.