February 6, 2009
Israel sees more feed wheat imports over water
Due to increased supplies of feed wheat from Eastern Europe and Black Sea Basin as well as the worst water crisis in 80 years, feed manufacturers in Israel may import more feed wheat as a sharp fall of local corn supply is also expected to take place, reports the US Department of Agriculture.
grain imports in MY (marketing year) 2008-09 and 2009-10 is seen to remain relatively constant at above 3 million tonnes, mostly corn (1.1 million tonnes) and wheat (1.6 million tonnes).
Domestic wheat production for MY 2009-10 will also be below national average and will total about 60,000 to 10,000 tonnes due to continual unfavourable rainfall in the southern part of the country.
Driven by sharp drop in world prices of corn, combined with the recent announcement by the Israel Water Authority that the country is facing the worst water supply crisis in 80 years, domestic corn production is expected to decrease dramatically in MY 2009-10 and is seen at 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes (75 percent down compared to the previous year). A more precise estimate will be available in July- August 2009.
For more of the USDA report, please click here
