MONGOLIA* (29 May)
Planting of 2003 wheat, the major cereal grown in the country, has recently been completed.
Production of wheat in 2002 is estimated at 159 000 tonnes, 20 000 tonnes above the previous year under the harsh winter, but still 79 000 tonnes below the level in 1997. Total cereal production at 161 000 tonnes, covers only about 41 percent of domestic cereal requirements, leaving an import requirement of 238 000 tonnes.
Mongolia requires international assistance for nearly 665 000 people affected by last summer’s drought and extreme winter weather.