Tunis: The International Grains Council (ICC) has revised downwards its forecast for world grain production for the next 2024/25 campaign to 2,301 million tonnes, due to the drought affecting several producer countries, the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI) reported in its bulletin. On the other hand, ONAGRI reported an increase in world grain consumption to 3 million tonnes more than previously forecast, due to increased use of wheat and corn for feed production. The Observatory also noted that forecasts for world grain stocks would be revised downwards to no more than 591 million tonnes, the lowest level in 9 years. Nationally, 972,000 hectares have been sown so far, representing 81% of the total area (1,196,000 hectares) allocated to field crops for the 2023/2024 marketing year, of which 812,000 hectares are in the north of the country, while the rest (around 160,000 hectares) are in the centre and south of the country, ONAGRI said. It added that 576,000 hectares are earmarked for durum whea t, 24,000 hectares for soft wheat, 363,000 hectares for common wheat. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse