Browse Data and Analysis

Egypt reversed the widely criticized mandate by the Central Bank of Egypt for importers to utilize a process where letters of credit would substitute the long-established cash-against-documents process.

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).

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.

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.

The 2021 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world.

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.

Marketing year 2020/21 was another record year for U.S.-origin soybean exports to Egypt. The United States, with 2.53 MMT in exports, was Egypt’s largest supplier of soybeans. Egypt’s soybean imports in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (October-September) are forecast at 4.0 million metric tons (MMT), up 400,000 MT from the MY 2021/22 estimate.

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.