FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/01 - KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF* (6 November)

KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF* (6 November)

A recent joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to DPR Korea estimated aggregate cereal production at about 4.26 million tonnes (3.54 million tonnes in milled basis), above last year and one of the best harvest since 1995/1996.

The factors behind this strong recovery include favourable performance of rains from mid-June through August, international assistance with the provision of fertilizers, improved and timely availability of farm machinery and other inputs, intensified national endeavours including increased budgetary allocation for agriculture and mobilization of people�s efforts.

Despite the substantial recovery, however, domestic output would be insufficient to meet minimum food needs of the country.

The cereal deficit for 2001/02 (November/October) is estimated at 1.47 million tonnes compared to 2.2 million tonnes in the previous year. With commercial imports anticipated at 100 000 tonnes, 1.37 million tonnes will need to be covered by food aid and concessional food imports. Based on vulnerability analysis and existing targeting capacities, the Mission recommended mobilization of 525 000 tonnes of food aid in cereals and 85 000 tonnes of other food items during 2001/02 for the population groups that are particularly at risk.