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March 2000
Rainfall during January and February continued to be
below normal for most of Iran and eastern Syria. Rainfall over
the next few weeks across Iran is required to stabilize the
2000/01 wheat prospects as a few well-timed rain events could
change the dryness situation during the yield sensitive heading
crop stage. Last year, severe drought in Iran reduced the
1999/2000 wheat and barley crops by a third, and Iran's wheat
production was the smallest in the decade at 8.5 million tons.
Wheat imports for the 1999/2000 marketing year are currently near
record levels. Unless weather conditions improve dramatically in
the coming weeks, wheat imports will remain large in 2000/01.
The 2000/01 wheat crop in Syria has experienced long-term
dryness, but rainfall in mid-January across the eastern growing
region temporarily eased crop stress. Turkey's wheat crop
received near normal precipitation throughout most of the growing
season. Rainfall across northern Saudi Arabia was also favorable
for pasture conditions and may lessen the need for feed grain
imports. Since Iraq does not transmit weather observations
through the World Meteorological Organization, rainfall data for
Iraq is extrapolated based on reports from surrounding countries.
Iraq, like Iran, is experiencing dry weather again this season.
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