Banana Market Review Preliminary results 2021
09/05/2022
The Banana Market Review is issued on an annual basis to Members and Observers of the Sub-Group on Bananas of the Intergovernmental Group on Bananas and Tropical Fruits, which is a subsidiary body of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP). This document provides preliminary estimates for the 2020 market situation for the banana commodity. Imports and exports statistical tables are included.
African swine fever: The medium-term effects on agricultural markets
02/05/2022
This paper aims to gauge the complex cross-commodity and cross-country effects of the African swine fever (ASF) over the medium-term, that is, within a ten-year time horizon. While focusing on meat and feed markets, it also assesses the effects of ASF on all agricultural markets. The results are based on a number of counterfactual runs undertaken with the Aglink-Cosimo model, a global partial equilibrium framework jointly maintained by the secretariats of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The results will help decision makers to understand the extent to which ASF is likely to affect the various agricultural markets and help them prepare for the challenges and the opportunities that may arise from a further spread of the disease.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #3, 12 April 2022
13/04/2022
International prices of wheat and coarse grains surged in March as the reduced exports from the Russian Federation and Ukraine worsened already tight global availabilities. Contrasting trends were evident across the market segments for rice, but overall, prices moved little in March. Across most of West Africa, prices of coarse grains continued to increase and were significantly higher year on year, amid lower cross-border trade flows and higher international prices of maize. Additional price support came from reduced outputs in the Sahel as well as from solid export demand in the coastal countries. In East Africa, prices of coarse grains remained firm or increased in March and were generally well above their year-earlier levels. Exceptionally high prices prevailed in South Sudan and the Sudan. In Far East Asia, in Sri Lanka, prices of rice and wheat flour continued to increase in March to new highs due to the depreciation of the national currency and the below-average 2022 “Maha” crop output. For wheat, the firmness in international markets provided additional support. In South America, prices of wheat continued to rise in March to levels ranging from 25 to 75 percent higher year on year, to reach record highs in some countries. The high price levels are due to strong international demand in exporting countries and elevated international quotations in net-importing countries.
Jute, Kenaf, Sisal, Abaca, Coir and Allied fibres Statistical Bulletin 2020
06/04/2022
The Market and Policy Analysis of Raw Materials, Horticulture and Tropical Products Team (RAMHOT), provides economic data and analysis on major agricultural raw materials and tropical products, including hard fibres (abaca, coir and sisal), jute, kenaf and allied fibres. The tables contained in this document bring together governments’ replies to the latest questionnaires, supplemented by other data available to the Secretariat at 31 December 2020.
Webinar #6: Water efficiency, sustainability and productivity. 26 April 2022
30/03/2022
This was the sixth in a series of technical webinars being organized by FAO’s Responsible Fruits project in response to the priorities and interests of participants from the private sector. The webinars will provide an opportunity for peer learning on precompetitive issues, and the identification and sharing of good practices
Webinar #5: Reduction of agrochemical use, sustainable pest and disease management and compliance with MRLs - 2 February 2022
24/03/2022
This was the fifth in a series of technical webinars being organized by FAO’s Responsible Fruits project in response to the priorities and interests of participants from the private sector. The webinars will provide an opportunity for peer learning on precompetitive issues, and the identification and sharing of good practices
Special report – 2021 FAO Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to the Sudan
21/03/2022
Between 19 December 2021 and 14 January 2022, following a request by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest (MoA&F), the Food Security Technical Secretariat (FSTS), assisted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), carried out its annual Crop and Food Supply and Assessment Mission (CFSAM) to determine the crop production and the food supply situation throughout the 18 states of the country.
Trade Policy Review in Europe and Central Asia - Quarterly Bulletin No. 8
16/03/2022
This quarterly bulletin features agricultural trade policy changes in the region. It provides current trade measures, agreements, statistics and articles by experts covering trade-related issues in countries across the region, and it is sent to members of the Agricultural Trade Expert Network.
The importance of Ukraine and the Russian Federation for global agricultural markets and the risks associated with the current conflict
11/03/2022
The Russian Federation and Ukraine are among the most important producers of agricultural commodities in the world. Both countries are net exporters of agricultural products, and they both play leading supply roles in global markets of foodstuffs and fertilisers, where exportable supplies are often concentrated in a handful of countries. This concentration could expose these markets to increased vulnerability to shocks and volatility. In 2021, either the Russia Federation or Ukraine (or both) ranked amongst the top three global exporters of wheat, maize, rapeseed, sunflower seeds and sunflower oil, while the Russian Federation also stood as the world’s top exporter of nitrogen fertilizers and the second leading supplier of both potassic and phosphorous fertilizers.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #2, 10 March 2022
10/03/2022
Prices of all major cereals increased in February. Wheat and coarse grain prices were pressured upward by supply uncertainties amidst potential disruptions to exports from the Black Sea Region. Crop condition concerns in South America continued to lend support to maize prices. Although international rice prices also edged up during February, they remained below their year-earlier levels. In most of West Africa, prices of coarse grains continued to increase and were at near-record levels. In the Sahel, prices were underpinned by reduced outputs and conflicts, while in the coastal countries, they were supported by strong export demand and currency depreciation. Reduced cross-border trade flows and higher international prices, particularly of maize, added upward pressure on domestic prices. In East Africa, prices of coarse grains followed mixed trends in February and were generally well above their year-earlier levels across the subregion. Exceptionally high levels prevailed in South Sudan and the Sudan. In Far East Asia, in Sri Lanka, prices of rice and wheat flour continued to increase, reaching record levels in February due to further depreciation of the national currency. Expectations of a below-average main “Maha” crop added to the upward price pressure in the case of rice, while upward trends in international markets provided additional support to wheat prices.
The global fertilizer market: taking stock of a tightening market situation
10/03/2022
International fertilizer benchmark prices have risen throughout 2021, with many quotations reaching all- time highs. The most notable increases have been registered for nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Prices for urea, a key N fertilizer, have more than trebled over the past 12 months, e.g., nominal quotations for black sea spot prices (bulk) have risen from USD 245/tonne in November 2020 to USD 901/tonne in November 2021 (Figure 1), with much of the increase registered in the second half of the year.
Cereal supply and demand balance for sub-Saharan African countries No. 1, February 2022
04/03/2022
This statistical report contains a subset of CCBS data and presents updated cereal supply and demand balances for all sub-Saharan African countries. It complements the information of the FAO/GIEWS Crop Prospects and Food Situation report and is published four times a year with the same schedule. This report is based on information available as of February 2022.
Crop Prospects and Food Situation - Quarterly Global Report, No. 1, March 2022
04/03/2022
FAO assesses that globally 44 countries, including 33 in Africa, nine in Asia and two in Latin America and the Caribbean, are in need of external assistance for food. Conditions are projected to worsen significantly in West Africa, due to conflicts, high food prices and reduced harvests, while the situation is alarming in East Africa. Humanitarian needs are foreseen to also increase in Southern Africa in late 2022 due to the impact of adverse weather.
Webinar #3: How the tropical fruits sector can tackle deforestation and contribute to forest positive value chains -21 October 2021
04/03/2022
This was the third in a series of technical webinars being organized by FAO’s Responsible Fruits project in response to the priorities and interests of participants from the private sector. The webinars will provide an opportunity for peer learning on precompetitive issues, and the identification and sharing of good practices
Agricultural trade in the Global South – An overview of trends in performance, vulnerabilities, and policy frameworks
01/03/2022
South-South Cooperation (SSC) is increasingly recognized as an effective instrument for catalyzing economic development by fostering the exchange of innovation and good practices, and expanding market opportunities across countries with a similar level of development and shared development objectives, such as those reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key to this economic cooperation are trade and investment relationships among South countries.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #1, 10 February 2022
10/02/2022
Wheat export prices eased in January, reflecting increased seasonal availability from large Southern Hemisphere harvests. By contrast, international maize prices were firmer, mostly underpinned by concerns over dry conditions in the Southern Hemisphere. International rice prices also edged up, as main crop harvests drew to a close and purchases by Asian buyers lent them support. In most of West Africa, prices of coarse grains increased or remained stable, in spite of the recently concluded harvests, and were significantly higher year on year, mostly supported by persisting conflicts and higher transportation costs. In East Africa, prices of coarse grains followed mixed trends in January but generally remained significantly above their year-earlier levels across the subregion. In particular, exceptionally high price levels prevailed in South Sudan and the Sudan. In Far East Asia, in Sri Lanka, prices of staple foods increased to record or near record levels in January reflecting further depreciation of the national currency, as well as concerns over the outlook for the approaching main “Maha” paddy crop, affected by shortages of inputs during the growing season.
Hunger Hotspots - FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity: February to May 2022 Outlook
27/01/2022
Acute food insecurity is likely to deteriorate further in 20 countries or situations – hunger hotspots – in the next months. Organized violence or conflict remain the primary drivers, followed by weather extremes and climate variability. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt economies. High food prices and low household purchasing power are major economic concerns for food insecurity rising. The report provides country-specific recommendations on priorities for emergency response and anticipatory action to address existing humanitarian needs and ensure short-term protective interventions before new needs materialize.