Data are obtained from official and unofficial sources. For cereals, production data refer to the calendar year in which the whole harvest or bulk of harvest takes place. For sugar, production data relate to the October/September season. For vegetable oils and oil meals derived from oilseeds, production data refer to the year in which the bulk of the seeds concerned are crushed. For trade in wheat and coarse grains, the time reference period is normally the July/June marketing year unless otherwise stated. Trade data for rice and other commodities refer to the calendar year. Coarse grains refer to all other cereals except wheat and rice. Quantities are in metric tonnes unless otherwise stated. `-` means nil or negligible.
In the presentation and analysis of statistical material, countries are sub-divided, where appropriate, into the following two main economic groupings: "Developed countries" (including the developed market economies and the transition markets) and "Developing countries" (including the developing market economies and the Asia centrally planned countries). The designation "Developed and "Developing" economies is intended for statistical convenience and does not necessarily express a judgement about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development process.
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Food Outlook is issued by FAO under the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture. It gives a concise analysis of information affecting the situation and outlook for basic foodstuffs. The release dates and contents in 2001 are as follows:
| Issue No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Release Date1/ | 22 February | 11 April | 13 June | 17 October | 12 December |
| Contents | |||||
| Cereals | |||||
| Cereal supply/demand roundup2/ |  |
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| Cereal production, trade, stocks & prices | |
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| Extended report on cereal utilization | |
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| Food Aid | |
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| Ocean Freight Rates | |
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| Other Commodities | |||||
| Cassava | |
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| Fertilizer | |
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| Meat | |
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| Milk and milk products | |
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| Oilseeds, Oils and Oilmeals | |
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| Sugar | |
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| Fish | |
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| Special Features 3/ |
This month's issue is based on information available up to 30 March 2001. Contributors to this issue are as follows:
Cereal Production (excl. rice): S. Ahmed (Eastern Africa & Near East); Ms. L. Balbi (Southern Africa and Great Lakes);
M. Bamba (North Africa & Oceania developing); Ms. M. Drysdale (CIS); S. Jost (Western and Central Africa); P. Arias (Latin America and Caribbean); A. Markanday (Asia); P. Racionzer (Europe, North America & Oceania developed)
Cereal Trade, Stocks and Prices (excl. rice): A. Abbassian ; Cereal Utilization : M. Mielke
Rice: Ms. C. Calpe; Fertilizers: J. Poulisse
