North African countries are poised to increase wheat imports to offset lower production.Rabat – Morocco will see the biggest decline in cereal production in North Africa in 2022, according to aquarterly report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

North Africa’s total cereal production in 2022 is estimated at 33 million tonnes, 10 less than the region’saverage over the past five years. Total wheat yields were the hardest hit, dropping to his 16.6 milliontonnes, almost 20% below average.

Morocco’s production was estimated at around 3.3 million tonnes, a significant drop of 60% from theaverage. The report blames the drought the country experienced in 2022.

Throughout the year, Morocco suffered its worst drought in decades, severely impacting rain-dependent butvital agriculture.

FAO estimates that between 2022 and 2023, the total imports of cereals needed by the region will be 51million tonnes.

Some of these imports also go into state reserves to better prepare for similar future situations.

Declines in production have of course impacted food prices in the region, with food price inflationcontinuing to rise at high levels in most regions except Libya. In Morocco, annual food inflation will exceed10% by June 2022 before reaching a record high of 15.5% in December of the same year. Inflation inJanuary 2023 lagged just behind Egypt’s stunning 48%.

Food prices have risen recently as multiple crises have disrupted global production and supply chains.

Just as the world was recovering from her COVID-19 crisis, which severely affected purchasing power,Russia and Ukraine were major grain and grain exporters, so the war between Russia and Ukraine wasa separate matter. caused a sharp increase in

The FAO report notes that improved weather conditions for the remainder of 2023 could significantlyimprove cereal and wheat yields.