Hurricane "Mitch" has inflicted extensive damage to crops in Central America. The heavy rains, high-force winds and widespread flooding at the end of October have left thousands of people dead and swept away houses and infrastructure. Honduras and Nicaragua were particularly hit hard, while Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and parts of Mexico have also been affected with varying degrees. Earlier in September the island states of Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts/Nevis were similarly affected by hurricane rains and floods.
La Niña weather anomalies have caused extensive crop damage in several parts of Asia. In China and Bangladesh paddy production is forecast to decline due to heavy rains and floods last summer. In Indonesia, the combined effects of the economic crisis and adverse weather have resulted in a significant reduction of rice production, the country's staple food. Elsewhere, a large food deficit is forecast in DPR Korea, despite an improved harvest in 1998. Adverse weather conditions have also reduced cereal production in the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos.
In eastern Africa, the food supply situation is difficult in Somalia due to the sharply reduced main season cereal crops. In Sudan, despite serious floods in central and northern parts, overall prospects for coarse grains harvest are favourable. However, emergency food assistance is required in some southern areas where population displacement and insecurity prevail. An FAO/WFP mission is in the country assessing the food and rehabilitation requirements. Elsewhere in eastern Africa, harvest prospects are generally favourable reflecting adequate rains.
In southern Africa, this year’s growing season has started under favourable conditions. Despite a reduced 1997/98 cereal output, the sub-region's food supply situation remains generally stable. However, in Angola the food supply position is expected to tighten in the coming months, reflecting the unstable security situation.
A record cereal harvest is forecast in 1998 in countries of western Africa and the overall food supply situation in the sub-region is expected to improve. However, civil strife has affected agricultural activities in Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone where output is forecast to remain below average. In Liberia, food production is gradually improving, but, as in Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone, food assistance will still be needed in 1999.
In the CIS, the 1998 grain and pulse harvest has fallen sharply due to adverse weather conditions exacerbated by the difficult economic situation in most states. The early outlook for 1999 crops is not promising.
In Europe, the 1998 cereal output is marginally reduced from last year, mainly reflecting smaller crops in several eastern European countries. A reduced winter grain area for the 1999 harvest is forecast reflecting adverse weather in some cases, an increased land set-aside requirement in the EC and continuing problems in the agricultural sectors of some eastern European countries.
In the United States, winter wheat planting for 1999 harvest is complete under generally favourable conditions and the bulk of the crop is reported to be in good condition. Early indications point to some reduction in area.
In Australia, prospects for the winter cereal crops have deteriorated somewhat following adverse weather in some parts over the past two months. Output nevertheless is expected to increase a little from the previous year.