Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Overall favourable production prospects for 2025 wheat crop
- Above-average cereal output obtained in 2024
- Wheat import requirements in 2024/25 forecast at near-average level
- Prices of wheat flour above year-earlier levels
Overall favourable production prospects for 2025 wheat crop
Planting of the 2025 wheat crop, to be harvested between July and September, took place last November. According to satellite-based images, vegetation conditions were near-average across the country as of mid-May (VCI map). Precipitation amounts have been overall adequate during the season and yields are expected at near-average levels. Planting of the 2025 maize crop, to be harvest from August onwards, is ongoing under overall favourable weather conditions.
Above-average cereal output obtained in 2024
Harvesting of the 2024 cereal crops, mainly maize and wheat, finalized last September and the aggregate output is estimated at 430 000 tonnes, about 10 percent above the five-year average level. Production of maize is officially estimated at 220 000 tonnes, above the average level due to favourable weather conditions during the season, which boosted yields. The 2024 wheat output is set at well above-average 150 000 tonnes due to high yields and large plantings.
Cereal imports in 2024/25 forecast at near ‑ average level
Total cereal import requirements in the 2024/25 marketing year (July/June) are forecast at a near-average level of 600 000 tonnes. Import requirements of wheat, which account on average for about 90 percent of the aggregate cereal import volume, are forecast near the average level, at 550 000 tonnes, amid the harvest of an adequate output in 2024.
Prices of wheat flour above year-earlier levels
Prices of wheat flour rose sharply during the second half of 2024, peaking in November 2024 and February 2025. As of April 2025, prices were about 5 percent above the previous year’s level. The increase reflects limited domestic availability and above-average import costs, despite ongoing Value added tax (VAT) exemptions intended to stabilize prices.