TURKEY TO DISCUSS UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORTS WITH RUSSIAN LEADER
Turkish officials will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Turkey to discuss a new mechanism to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, Reuters reported. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said there are efforts to find new methods for transporting Ukrainian grain to the world markets, Reuters reported. Turkey has tried to convince Russia to return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which it left in July 2023. The deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, provided safe passage to exports from Ukrainian ports.
(Link: WorldGrain)
ALGERIA’S WHEAT IMPORTS TO REMAIN ELEVATED
According to GAIN, wheat imports for Algeria, are expected to remain elevated at 8.7 million tonnes in 2024-25, due to lower production, the highest since 8.4 million tonnes in 2016-17, and remain there in the upcoming season. Barley imports are seen at 700,000 tonnes. “According to the trade press, Algeria has continued to bring in Russian wheat throughout the conflict in the Black Sea region,” the FAS said. Algeria’s Ministry of Agriculture has not released detailed production information for the current season. The FAS is maintaining its outlook for 2024-25 wheat production at 2.7 million tonnes and barley at 1 million tonnes.
The North African country of about 44 million people consumes 11 million tonnes of wheat annually. The FAS does anticipate grain storage capacities to increase in 2024-25 to help secure sufficient supplies. Ending stocks are projected to be 5.4 million tonnes in 2024-25, up from 5.3 million tonnes in the previous marketing year. Minister of Agriculture Youcef Chorfa indicated during his presentation of the action plan for 2024 at the Parliament that 350 local cereal storage centers will be built this year to increase storage capacities to 9 million tonnes, compared to 3.4 million tonnes currently, the FAS said. “Notwithstanding the silo construction and renovation, Post does not anticipate an immediate rise in stocks, as domestic production remains below average,” the FAS said.
(Link: WorldGrain)
