News Updates MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE EAST COMMENTS This week there were quite a few comments in the press and from various organizations on the grain situation in Syria. FAO is reviewing the 40 percent decline in Syrian wheat production, which is a reduction both from its 2011 high and 50 percent lower than historical levels. Syria will require about 1.5 MMT of wheat imports in 2013, 300,000 MT of barley and just over 1.4 MMT of corn. FAO actually shows an increase in local barley production for 2013, which at a total of almost 1 MMT, will be higher than the level reached in recent years. Syria's corn importation level is to be expected, as the country does not grow corn and must meet feed demands of close to 2 MMT.FAO states that it wil...