FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/01 - EC (19 November)
FAO's latest forecast puts aggregate 2001 cereal production in the EC at about 203 million tonnes, 6 percent down from last year and about 3 percent below the average of the past five years. The decrease results from the combined effect of an overall smaller cereal area and lower average yields for this year’s crop. Most of the decrease in production is accounted for by wheat, which is now forecast at 91.5 million tonnes, 13 percent below last years bumper crop and about 9 percent below the average of the past five year’s. The forecast for aggregate coarse grain production remains at about 109 million tonnes, which would be virtually unchanged from the 2000 output. Production of maize and rye is seen to increase while that of barley and oats is estimated to be down. Autumn conditions have been generally favourable for winter crop sowing throughout the Community and indications so far don’t suggest any major change in overall area compared to the previous year.