FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 01/00 - JORDAN (7 February)
Despite recent beneficial rains, the prospects for the 2000 wheat and barley crops, for harvest in May/June, are poor due to prolonged drought that delayed sowing. In 1999, a severe drought seriously damaged cereal and horticultural crops. Consequently, aggregate output of wheat and barley in 1999 declined by 86 percent to 15 000 tonnes. The livestock sector was also affected and many sheep farms were seriously affected as costs increased and products diminished in quality and quantity. An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease exacerbated losses.
Total cereal import requirement for the 1999/2000 marketing year (July/June) is estimated at 1.94 million tonnes. About 80 percent of the requirement is anticipated to be covered commercially, leaving a deficit of 387 000 tonnes to be covered by food aid. Some 300 000 tonnes have so far been pledged through direct food aid and concessional grants. An Emergency Operation was jointly approved by FAO and WFP in July 1999 for food assistance to 180 000 vulnerable people, worth some US$429 000 for a period of nine months.
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