Grain: World Markets and Trade, July 2005

Grain: World Markets and Trade
Foreign Agricultural Service Circular Series
FG 07-05
July 2005

Import demand in the Maghreb region (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia) is expected to surge this year as dry spring weather has slashed soft wheat and durum production by nearly half. This contrasts with the previous 2 years, which had seen bumper crops and sharply lower imports. For soft wheat, the primary beneficiaries of this expanded demand are likely to be nearby suppliers, who have a sizeable freight advantage. With strong cultural and historical ties to the region, the European Union has traditionally been the largest supplier, although Black Sea exporters such as Russia and Ukraine have also made significant inroads into these markets in recent years.

The effect of higher Maghreb demand will be even more pronounced in durum trade as it is the largest importing region in the world. With very high consumption rates of couscous and pasta, the region accounts for nearly half of global imports in some years. Larger purchases from these countries will likely expand world trade and benefit major durum exporters such as Canada and the United States.

Wheat Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Wheat Data Tables	[Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]

Rice Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Rice Data Tables	[Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format ]

Coarse Grains Commentary	[Text]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]
Coarse Grains Data Tables	Excel Spreadsheet Format]	[Adobe Acrobat Format]

Maghreb Wheat Imports Boosted by Lower Production