The decrease is expected to be primarily in feed wheat, which is being replaced by corn due to price pressure. Most of the country’s feed wheat is imported from Ukraine.

Milling wheat imports are expected to total 870,000 tonnes, the USDA said.

“In spite of annual population growth of 2%, consumption remains stable, due to consumption trends that have led to reduced use of white flour,” the report said. “A recent trend in Israel is to decrease white bread consumption and replace it with bread baked with flour perceived as healthier.”

Wheat production in 2017-18 in Israel is forecast at 140,000 tonnes, which is in line with the previous year’s output, the report said.