DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — The United Arab Emirates’ consumption and import of grain and feed are expected to increase in the coming year as the nation’s economy recovers, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The UAE has implemented one of the most robust responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the world, with one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, the USDA said. Most local events, conferences, and international shows have resumed.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts the UAE’s real GDP will grow by 1.6% in 2021, the USDA said.

Total wheat consumption in 2021-22 is forecast to recover by 10%, or 150,000 tonnes, to a total of 1.7 million tonnes. COVID-19 reduced consumption in 2020-21 to 1.55 million tonnes.

Wheat imports in 2021-22 are estimated to increase by 13% to 1.7 million tonnes. Ending stocks are forecast to drop to 463,000 tonnes due to overhang, the USDA noted.

Corn consumption in 2021-22 is estimated to increase 8% to 680,000 tonnes while imports are expected to increase 8% to 700,000 tonnes. Both increases are attributed to growing livestock demand, the USDA said.