ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — High prices may drive down grain and feed consumption in the United Arab Emirates for marketing year 2021-22, but an economic recovery and increased imports are expected in 2022-23, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and other factors contributing to high commodity prices and food security may put downward pressure on UAE consumption in 2021-22, before a recovery is seen in the following year. This will mainly include all wheat-based commodities and animal products due to price increases in corn and fertilizers. 

Abu Dhabi Post has revised UAE total wheat consumption in 2021-22 downward to 1.6 million tonnes, but it should reach 1.75 million tonnes in 2022-23. All wheat imports set to increase 100,000 tonnes to reach 1.8 million tonnes in 2022-23.

Rice consumption is seen falling to 850,000 tonnes this year but jump to 1 million tonnes in 2022-23, leading to a 100,000-tonnes increase in imports that will total 1 million tonnes.

While corn consumption is predicted to slip to 590,000 tonnes in 2021-22, it should recover to 680,000 tonnes in 2022-23, securing a 100,000 tonnes increase in imports for a total of 700,000 tonnes.

Supporting the livestock sector, barley use is projected at 510,000 tonnes in 2022-23, rising from 490,000 tonnes in the current marketing year. Barley imports are expected to rise 20,000 tonnes and total 520,000 tonnes.