Saudi Arabia: 2010/11 barley imports projected to be slightly up on year

The US agricultural attaché projects Saudi Arabia to import 7.7 mln t in marketing year 2010/11 (July/June) after 7.6 mln t in 2009/10 and 7.5 mln t in 2008/09. Domestic use is seen at 7.7 (7.5; 7.4) mln t and ending stocks at 2.6 (2.6; 2.4) mln t.
Wheat production is estimated to reach 700,000 (1.0 mln; 1.7 mln) t due to a lower acreage of 140,000 (200,000; 344,000) ha. Imports are expected at 2.0 (1.6; 1.0) mln t and domestic use at 2.8 (2.8; 2.7) mln t. This should lead to ending stocks of 2.0 (2.1; 2.2) mln t.
(USDA, March 2010)