FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - GEORGIA (3 September)
Harvesting of the spring crops is nearing completion, after delays caused by a lack of working farm machinery. Growing conditions for maize, mainly produced in the west, have been satisfactory. The 1998 maize crop is estimated at 500 000 tonnes, 34 percent higher than the average of the previous 5 years. Wheat production, estimated at 225 000 tonnes is also above average, but well below the bumper 1997 outturn of 300 000 tonnes. Strong winds and dry conditions damaged winter wheat in the east of the country. Lack of farm credit and the high costs of inputs remain major constraints to growth in the sector.
Wheat imports for the 1997/98 marketing year (July/June) reached 0.5 million tonnes, of which 162 000 tonnes were food aid. It is probable that imports in 1998/99 will remain at around this level. The country is self sufficient in maize.
WFP is providing emergency food assistance to some 200 000 internally displaced persons, victims of hostilities in the Abkhazia area.
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