FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - KYRGYZ REPUBLIC (10 September)

Drought and water shortages have had less impact in Kyrgyzstan compared with other countries of the region, thanks mainly to upstream benefits from rivers supplying the whole region with irrigation water. FAO tentatively forecasts grain output at 1.57 million tonnes, about the same as last year’s good crop, including 1 million tonnes of wheat 160 000 tonnes of barley and 375 000 tonnes of maize.

Though grain production this year is 175 000 tonnes less than target (1.7 million tonnes), the overall food supply situation is seen to remain satisfactory. Access to food by the poorest strata of the population is expected to remain tight, due to continuous lack of purchasing power and sources of livelihoods. However, food price index for the first half of this year remained stable and on a slightly declining trend compared with previous year.