TEL AVIV, ISRAEL — Despite a forecasted 6.25% increase in the 2021-22 marketing year, wheat production is still below Israel’s 10-year average, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Israel’s wheat production for the 2021-22 marketing year is estimated to be 85,000 tonnes, while approximately 1.65 million tonnes will be imported. The USDA attributes the boost in wheat production to favorable rainfall. 

However, wheat producers are being encouraged to harvest early for silage to avoid burnt crops. Palestinian protestors have burnt about 400 hectares in past years. 

The USDA forecasts Israel’s barley production in the 2021-22 marketing year to total 15,000 tonnes, with imports reaching about 400,000 tonnes in the same marketing year. 

Israel is entirely dependent on imports for feed corn due to water constraints. The USDA expects corn imports for the 2021-22 marketing year to be 2 million tonnes.