Algeria forecasts stable wheat and barley harvest for 2025/26

unclear whether all 150,000 hectares are planted with wheat or include other crops. Overall, 5–8% of Algeria’s cereal crops are cultivated in desert areas. Most wheat crops are grown in coastal Mediterranean zones and high plateaus, relying on rain-fed irrigation. Based on satellite soil moisture data, wheat production is projected to remain below average at about 3 million metric tons (MMT). However, barley production for 2025/26 is forecast to rise to 1.35 MMT due to abundant spring rains in barley-growing regions. The planting campaign in October 2024 began under dry conditions, but soil moisture improved by January 2025, surpassing last season’s levels, though still below the 20-year average. During the growing season (January to mid-May), rainfall was uneven, with fields drying out in April. The last six weeks brought more moisture, potentially boosting yields in fertile areas, but prolonged rains into mid-May raise risks of disease and harvest challenges. The Ministry of ...