FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages No.1, March 2003 - Page 1

Previous PageTable Of ContentsNext page

HIGHLIGHTS

AFRICA: In eastern Africa, more than 13 million people face severe food shortages in Eritrea and Ethiopia mainly due to drought. Large amounts of food aid are urgently needed to stave off starvation. In southern Africa, the tight food supply situation has eased with improved food aid distributions. Prospects for the next harvest are generally favourable but production is anticipated to be reduced again in Zimbabwe. Poor rainfall is also reported in southern Mozambique. In western Africa, the food situation remains extremely serious in Mauritania, following three consecutive poor harvests.

ASIA: A serious humanitarian crisis persists in DPR Korea due to chronic food shortages and food assistance is urgently required. Relief food assistance is required for people affected by natural and man-made disasters in Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. In the Near East, food assistance continues to be needed in Afghanistan despite improved harvest last year. The food situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is grave due to continuing military operations and tense political situation.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: Food assistance continues to be provided in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua to rural families affected by the severe crisis in the coffee sector. Food assistance is also being provided in Haiti to farmers in the southern departments affected by adverse weather. Heavy rains and flooding are reported in various parts of Bolivia and Peru with damage to crops. Emergency relief, including food assistance, is being distributed to the affected population.

EUROPE: Winter wheat plantings have fallen marginally in the EU but crop conditions remain generally satisfactory. Among the central and eastern European countries the prospects for the winter grains are mixed. The outlook is least favourable in the northern countries. Prospects in Hungary and the Balkan countries to the south are generally satisfactory. In the European CIS severely cold weather conditions and inadequate snow cover have compromised larger than average areas under winter cereals.

NORTH AMERICA: The winter wheat area increased in the United States but continuing dry weather raises concern for crop development this spring. Likewise, in Canada, the outcome of the main grain planting campaign this spring will depend largely on the level of spring precipitation as subsoil moisture levels are low after last year�s drought.

OCEANIA: The 2002 winter grain crop in Australia was sharply reduced by drought during the growing season and continuing dry conditions threaten the outcome of the 2003 summer coarse grain crop also. In Fiji, major damage has been inflicted on housing and crops by Cyclone "Ami" in January. An appeal for international assistance was launched by the Government. The Solomon Islands were affected by Cyclone "Zoe". Significant damage is reported to housing, infrastructure and crops. Relief assistance has been provided by the international community.


Previous PageTable Of ContentsNext page