IMPORTANT: This report is based on information gathered in the Lao  People’s Democratic Republic from 16 November to 5 December 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and thus the assessment does not take into consideration the impacts of the virus on the food security and agriculture sector of the country.

A joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) visited the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 16 November to 5 December 2019 at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The request was prompted by concerns over the impact of unfavourable weather conditions during the second half of 2019 on the main season crops. The Mission estimated the 2019 cereal production and the import requirements during the 2020 marketing year (January/December) and assessed the overall food security situation in the country.