August 18, 2011

Algeria's 2011 grain yield seen at 4.2 million tonnes

The 2011 grain harvest of Algeria is likely to be at 4.2 million tonnes, down from 4.5 million tonnes a year ago due to drought in some areas, an agriculture ministry official said Wednesday (Aug 17).

The final figures for the grain harvest are expected to be released by the end of this month, said the official, who did want to be identified because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

In June, an agriculture ministry official forecast the harvest would be around 4.5 million tonnes.

Algeria is the world's seventh biggest importer of grain-with imports last year of 5.232 million tonnes.

The level of imports is tied directly to the domestic harvest, which, because of a lack of irrigation, fluctuates according to the amount of rainfall in the growing season.