Algeria Wheat Imports to Reach 8.2 Million Tons in 2022-23

By George Mwangi

Special to Dow Jones Newswires

Algeria's wheat imports in the marketing year beginning July through June 2023 are forecast to reach 8.2 million metric tons, the U.S. Agriculture Department said late Monday.

This would be the highest volume since 2016-17, when imports hit 8.4 million tons, the USDA said in its annual grain and feed report update.

In the first five months of the current marketing year, Algeria's wheat imports are estimated at 2.5 million tons, up from 1.8 million in the same prior-year period, it said.

The imports were mainly from France, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania and Ukraine.

Imports from Russia aren't confirmed, but the USDA estimates between 600,000 tons and 700,000 tons, the highest after France at 1.02 million tons, in the July through November period.

Wheat production is still estimated at 3.3 million tons, the same as in the prior report in October. Production is expected to increase by 38% from 2.4 million tons the prior year.

Algeria's wheat consumption is expected to increase slightly to 11.10 million tons in 2022-23, up from 11.05 million the prior year, it said.

Wheat is a major staple food and accounts for 60% of the food ration in Algeria, it said.

Algeria is among the largest consumers of wheat in the world, the USDA said.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-08-23 1036ET