RUSSIAN FEDERATION (29 May)
Latest reports point to a significantly lower aggregate cereal output this year (not exceeding 70.5 million tonnes), compared with the improved harvest of the past couple of years (85 million tonnes in 2002). Aggregate wheat harvest is seen to amount to about 36.5 million tonnes, which is some 28 percent lower than the harvest in 2002. Barley output forecast at 17.5 million tonnes is about one million tonnes lower than last year’s harvest. The main reasons for the decline in cereal production are a severely cold winter and insufficient snow cover during December and January as well as a late spring. Winterkill is estimated at 3 million hectares of cereal area and late spring planting will have repercussions for yields.
Cereal exports during the ensuing marketing year, 2003/04, is forecast at best not to exceed 5 million tonnes, including 3 million tonnes of wheat and 2 million tonnes of barley. Aggregate cereal exports during the marketing year coming to an end is now estimated at about 16.8 million tonnes, including 13.5 million tonnes of wheat and almost 3.2 million tonnes of barley.
Targeted food aid continues to be necessary for the internally displaced and vulnerable population in Chechnya, in view of the ongoing civil strife and military operations. WFP has began distributing an estimated 34 011 tonnes of basic food commodities to some 290 500 internally displaced and vulnerable population in Chechnya and Ingushetia.