Browse Data and Analysis

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) chart by region as of March 10, 2022, shows a normal vegetation index on the Mediterranean coast and a below normal NDVI in the high lands. The Algerian government again increased domestic procurement prices of grains from farmers to encourage production and grain collection.

Saudi Arabian barley imports totaled approximately 2.63 million metric tons (MMT) during the eight months of the marketing year (MY) 2021/2022, which is a decrease of approximately 41 percent compared to the same time period last year.

Continued drought and water shortages is affecting economic activities in Iraq, especially grain production in 2022. The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture cut agricultural cropping in irrigated areas to 50 percent less than the previous year due to shortages in surface water.

FAS Amman (Post) forecasts Jordan’s wheat imports in MY 2022/23 to reach 1.3 million MT driven by fears of war. The Russian war on Ukraine has a direct impact on Jordan, as most of Jordan's wheat and barley come from Black Sea.

The 2022 crop season in Morocco is progressing under difficult conditions. Dry and hot weather during January and February has driven production to record lows, especially in southern Morocco.

Wheat and barley crops received adequate rainfall. Post forecasts MY 2022/23 wheat and barley production at 1.1 MMT and 420,000 MT, respectively, with imports anticipated at 2.1 MMT and 950,000 MT.

The Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) projects domestic wheat production at 700,000 metric tons (MT) in MY 2021/2022, up approximately 17 percent from USDA’s official estimate of 600,000 MT. Experts anticipate local domestic wheat production could reach 1 million metric tons (MMT) in MY 2022/2023 to offset expected import delays from Russia and Ukraine as a result of the ongoing war.

FAS Tel Aviv (Post) forecasts Israel’s wheat imports to reach 1.74 million metric tons (MMT) in market year (MY) 2022/23, a 2 percent increase from Post’s MY 2021/22 figure. In MY 2021/22, U.S. wheat accounted for 8.2 percent of the market, up 55 percent from the previous year.

Saudi Arabia’s barley imports for the first six months of Marketing Year (MY) 2021/22 is estimated at 2.36 million metric tons (MMT), a 41 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.

Saudi Arabia’s barley imports for the first six months of MY2021/22 (July – Dec. 2021) is estimated at 2.8 million metric tons (MMT), a reduction of 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

The Government of Morocco has released its final wheat and barley production numbers for the 2021 crop, including 5.06 MMT of common wheat, 2.48 MMT of durum wheat, and 2.78 MMT of barley.

On April 15, 2021, the Saudi government represented by the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) handed back the barley imports and distribution business to the private sector by selling 1.84 million metric tons (MMT) of barley through an open and competitive bidding process to six local grain traders.