Browse Data and Analysis

Egypt maintains a steady production of sugarcane, however sugar beet production areas are expanding. FAS Cairo (Post) forecasts refined sugar production in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 to increase by approximately 2.5 percent, or 70,000 metric tons (MT), to reach 2.92 million metric tons (MMT).

Post forecast marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (August to July) area for Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso to increase six percent to 1.41 million hectares (Mha) compared to the previous year. However, this growth will depend on the level of government support through the farm gate and input prices which have not yet been announced.

Rice production in Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Mali is forecast at 8.02 million metric tons (MMT) in MY 2022/23 on average weather, improved irrigation, and enhanced stability in production areas. The 15 percent jump from MY 2021/22 follows a growing season that was plagued by poor weather, militant activity and instability in Mali, and irrigation issues and pest prevalence in Senegal.

In market year (MY) 2022/23, cotton area harvested is forecast to increase 14 percent to 97,000 hectares (ha), from 85,000 ha in MY 2021/22. Post estimates MY 2022/23 production at 320,000 bales compared to 280,000 bales in MY 2021/22.

Wheat production in Ethiopia for 2022/23 projected at a record level of 5.7 million MT while corn forecasted to 10.2 million MT. The Government of Ethiopia (GOE) has identified top priorities that can increase production and productivity of cereals through small and large-scale irrigation development, financing agricultural inputs, encouraging cluster farming, and reducing post-harvest loss.

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.

Post forecasts Kenya’s sugar production will decrease 4 percent in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 from 690,000 metric tons (MT) to 660,000 MT due to lower sugarcane yields as high fertilizer prices trigger lower application.

Post forecasts that the South African sugar cane crop will expand by 9 percent to 18.8 million metric tons (MT) in the 2022/23 market year (MY), based on a return to normal weather conditions, an improvement in yields, and marginal increases in planted area.

Milled rice production for MY 2022/23 is projected at 1 MMT, this is unchanged from the MY 2021/22. Post projects MY 2022/23 imports at 1.25 MMT, a 3.8 percent decrease from MY 2021/22. Overall stock levels are reported to be high in order absorb any short-term supply disruptions.

On April 8, 2022, the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) passed a directive allowing franco-valuta imports of essential food commodities without foreign exchange permits.

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.