Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Cereal production estimated at above-average level in 2024 due to favourable weather conditions
- Wheat import requirements in 2024/25 forecast near five‑year average
- Prices of wheat flour slightly decreased year-on-year
Cereal production estimated at above-average level due to favourable weather conditions
Planting of the 2025 winter cereal crops, mainly wheat and barley, to be harvested between June and August 2025, was finalized last November under favourable weather conditions. Soil moisture levels in most croplands remain adequate to support early crop development. Harvesting of the 2024 winter cereal crops finalized last September. The harvest of maize and minor spring wheat crops was completed last November under favourable weather conditions. Outputs of wheat (winter and spring crops) and barley are officially estimated at about 750 000 tonnes and 650 000 tonnes, respectively. Maize production is estimated at nearly 770 000 tonnes. As a result, total cereal production in 2024 stands at 2.2 million tonnes, above the five-year average, mainly due to overall favourable weather conditions that supported crop development.
Wheat import requirements in 2024/25 forecast near five‑year average
In the 2024/25 marketing year (July/June), wheat import requirements are forecast at a near-average level of 350 000 tonnes. Wheat imports account, on average, for 95 percent of total annual cereal imports and cover almost half of the domestic needs of wheat for food consumption and milling purposes.
Prices of wheat flour slightly decreased year-on-year
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country’s inflation rate in 2025 is estimated at 5 percent, similar to the previous year. According to the National Bank, the growth of the national Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to decrease from 6.5 percent in 2024 to 5 percent in 2025. Retail prices of first grade wheat flour slightly decreased between December 2024 and April 2025, marking a 5 percent decrease year-on-year.