No. 3/4, 1997 - Rome, March/April 1997
Another good cereal crop is in prospect in 1997. If
current forecasts materialize, 1997 cereal output would be sufficient to
meet the anticipated consumption requirements in 1997/98 and may allow
for a further replenishment of cereal reserves.
Nevertheless, food emergencies affect 29 countries
worldwide, mostly in Africa. Severe difficulties persist in
the Great Lakes region and in the Horn of Africa due to civil strife, large
population displacement, and reduced crops. In Asia, the food situation
is deteriorating rapidly in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
FAO's first forecast puts 1997 cereal production at
1 880 milion tons, close to the 1996 record crop and above trend for
the second year in succession. Assuming favourable conditions until harvest,
wheat output is forecast at 590 million tons and that for coarse grains
at 910 million tons, while the rice crop is tentatively forecast to remain
virtually unchanged from the previous year's level at about 380 million
tons.
FAO's latest forecast for world trade in cereals in
1996/97 is 189 million tons, 3 million tons up from the previous forecast
but still 9 percent below the volume traded in the previous year, and the
lowest volume since 1990/91.
Global cereal utilization in 1996/97 is forecast at
1 833 million tons, 41 million tons up from the previous year. The
expansion is accounted for by increased food use of cereals in the developing
countries and increased feed use in the developed countries.
Total food aid availabilities of cereals in 1996/97
are forecast at 7.5 million tons, unchanged from the previous year,
but about half the level of the early 1990's . The low-income food-deficit
countries would receive about 5.9 million tons in 1996/97, representing
about 10 percent of their forecast cereal import needs compared with 15
percent in 1992/93.
Wheat and coarse grain prices in international markets
firmed up in March, but remained well below those at the same time
last year. International rice prices fell further in March under pressure
from good 1996 crop supplies.
Global cassava production is tentatively forecast to increase in 1997, especially in the major exporting countries, after a slight decline in 1996. Some increase in world cassava trade is also forecast although much could depend on price developments for alternative feed components in the major importing countries.