Special Report - FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission to the Syrian Arab Republic - 9 October 2018
09/10/2018
A joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Mission (CFSAM) visited the Syrian Arab Republic between 25 June and 19 July 2018 to estimate crop production and to assess the overall food security situation. On arrival in the country, the international members of the CFSAM team spent five days in Damascus prior to going to the field. During that time, they held meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR) and a number of other relevant ministries and state bodies of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic. Following two weeks of data collection in the field in six governorates, the CFSAM team returned to Damascus to be briefed by MAAR officials who had collected further data independently in all governorates, and, most importantly, in governorates that the international team had been unable to visit. This was followed by a second round of meetings with the main technical directorates of MAAR. Prior to departure from the country, the Mission briefed the Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform on its main findings.
GIEWS Update - Southern Africa, 28 September 2018
28/09/2018
Despite an average maize harvest and an overall satisfactory supply outlook for 2018/19, the aggregate number of people affected by food insecurity has increased. Declining per capita maize production in the past ten years has heightened reliance on imports to satisfy consumption needs, increasing vulnerabilities to external shocks.
Crop Prospects and Food Situation - Quarterly Global Report, No. 3, September 2018
19/09/2018
FAO assesses that globally 39 countries continue to be in need of external assistance for food. Persisting conflicts are the dominant factor driving the high level of severe food insecurity, as well as weather shocks which have also adversely impacted food availability and access.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #7, 17 September 2018
17/09/2018
International prices of wheat increased in August, underpinned by deteriorating crop prospects and tightening export availabilities. Prices of maize rose for the first time in three months, while rice quotations eased amid generally subdued demand. In East Africa, prices of grains in the Sudan rose further to record highs in August, underpinned by the removal of wheat subsidies, a strong depreciation of the local currency and increased transport costs. Elsewhere in the subregion, prices generally declined and were at levels well below those a year earlier in most countries. In Central America, prices of white maize increased significantly and reached levels well above those a year earlier in most countries of the subregion mainly due to the adverse impact of dry weather on harvest prospects for the 2018 main season crops.
Oilseeds, Oils and Meals. Monthly Price and Policy Update No.105, April 2018
13/09/2018
In March, similar to the development observed in February, FAO’s price indices for oilseeds and oilmeals rose by 5 and 14 points (or 3 and 7 percent), respectively. Both indices remained above the level recorded in the corresponding month of last year, actually setting 13-month and 21-month highs for oilseeds and oilmeals, respectively. By contrast, FAO’s price index for vegetable oils shed 1 point (or 0.8 percent) in March, which – while only marginally down month-on-month – has driven the index to its lowest level in 25 months.
How to use the WTO instruments in the interests of agribusiness: A guide
13/09/2018
This publication provides a broad set of trade and WTO transparency instruments that can be used to improve market-access opportunities in agribusiness.
Boosting agricultural trade in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
13/09/2018
Agrifood systems in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are still adjusting to the political and economic effects of globalization and deepening trade integration, both within the region and worldwide. The region is more engaged in global agri-food trade and increasingly supplies agricultural commodities and food products to international markets. However, most countries are yet to reach their full trade potential. To benefit from trade, the countries are stepping up their efforts to implement trade agreements, align their regulation with international standards and diversify exports. The project benefits stakeholders in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with specific activities in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine to strengthen the policy environment for multilateral trade agreements and export development, in line with the FAO Regional Initiative for Improving Agri-food Trade and Market Integration in Europe and Central Asia.
Policy coherence for agricultural transformation in African least developed countries (LDCs)
13/09/2018
In many developing and least-developed countries (LDCs), the transformation of the agriculture sector is key for improving domestic food security and nutrition and for promoting economic development. However, efforts to raise agricultural productivity and develop inclusive and competitive agricultural value chains are often hampered by market- and trade-related bottlenecks, while initiatives promoting agricultural commercialisation, diversification and trade are often curbed by bottlenecks at farm or post-harvest levels. In this context, FAO, in collaboration with the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), carried out a Multi-partner Programme Support Mechanism (FMM) Project on Trade related capacity development for food security and nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) to contribute to improved policy coherence for agricultural development and food security in these countries.
Oilseeds, Oils and Meals. Monthly Price and Policy Update No.104, March 2018
13/09/2018
In February, FAO’s price indices for oilseeds and oilmeals rose by, respectively, 4.1 and 18.2 points (or 2.7 and 10.6 percent). Even though the oilseed index climbed to a 12-month high, its value remained just below the level observed in the corresponding month of last year. The oilmeal index, by contrast, fared well above the level recorded one year ago, marking a 20-month high. On the other hand, FAO’s price index for vegetable oils posted a month-on-month drop of 5.1 points (or 3.1 percent), denoting a 19-month low.
Oilseeds, Oils and Meals. Monthly Price and Policy Update No.106, May 2018
13/09/2018
In April, continuing on the trend observed in recent months, FAO’s price indices for oilseeds and oilmeals rose, while the index for vegetable oil fell further. The oilseed and oilmeal indices gained, respectively, 3 and 10 points (or 2 and 5 percent), rising well above the levels recorded in the corresponding month of last year. Conversely, the price index for vegetable oil decreased by a further 2 points (or 1 percent) to a 2 year-low.
Oilseeds, Oils and Meals. Monthly Price and Policy Update No.102, January 2018
13/09/2018
In December, FAO’s price indices for oilseeds and vegetable oils fell by, respectively, 2.2 and 9.6 points (or 1.5 and 5.6 percent), whereas the oilmeal index rebounded by 7.0 points (or 4.4 percent) to a 10-month high. While the oilseed and vegetable oil indices remained below the levels recorded in the corresponding month of the previous year, the oilmeal index posted a marginal gain over the previous year’s value.
Regional Initiatives for Europe and Central Asia
13/09/2018
FAO ’s three Regional Initiatives for Europe and Central Asia address interlinked issues to ensure the contribution of agriculture to achieve the universality of the Sustainable Development Goals. For this reason, technical teams in the region and at FAO headquarters work in close collaboration to support countries in achieving their goals.
Oilseeds, Oils and Meals. Monthly Price and Policy Update No.112, November 2018
13/09/2018
In October, FAO’s price index for oilseeds rebounded modestly from the multi-year low recorded in September, gaining 3.7 points (or 2.6 percent) but remaining below the level of the corresponding month in 2017. By contrast, the price index for vegetable oils has fallen for the ninth consecutive month, shedding 2 points (or 1.5 percent) and marking the lowest level since April 2009. The oilmeal price index remained virtually unchanged from September, staying above last year’s level.
Review of Agricultural Trade Policies in Post-Soviet Countries, 2016-2017
13/09/2018
This document presents an English summary of the “Review of Agricultural Trade Policies in the post-Soviet countries 2016-2017” (FAO, 2018) available in Russian. The purpose of the publication is to provide an overview and analysis of the trends in agricultural trade and trade policies in the post-Soviet countries. The annual review serves to enhance transparency in agricultural trade policy measures, contributing to more stable and effective trade in the Europe and Central Asia region. This summary begins with an overview chapter presenting key developments in agricultural trade in twelve post-Soviet countries in 2016-2017, followed by regional strategies and programmes for agricultural export development, and includes short country chapters on Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Oilseeds, Oils and Meals. Monthly Price and Policy Update No.108, July 2018
13/09/2018
June has seen a further decline in international prices across the oilcrops complex. Compared with the month of May, FAO’s price indices for oilseeds and oilmeals dropped sharply, shedding, respectively, 13 and 23 points (or 8 and 11 percent) and posting 1-year and 5-month lows. The price index for vegetable oils continued to slide, losing 5 points (or 3 percent) month-on- month – a fifth consecutive fall and a 29-month low.
Oilseeds, Oils and Meals. Monthly Price and Policy Update No.103, February 2018
13/09/2018
In January, FAO’s price index for oilseeds rose by 2.3 points (or 1.5 percent), while the index for oilmeals posted even a stronger gain (6.6 points or 4 percent), climbing to a 17-month high. Conversely, the price index for vegetable oils only changed marginally compared to its December level (up 0.6 points or 0.4 percent).
National programs and strategies in support of agri-food exports in post-Soviet countries
13/09/2018
This review focuses on the various aspects of post-Soviet countries' policies in support of agri-food products export. The report contains an analysis of agricultural exports of these countries in recent years. This includes the latest initiatives in the field of stimulating food supplies to the foreign market are considered, and the national legislation promoting exports is described. Moreover, the review consolidates information in relation to the export support systems within post-Soviet countries, including governmental institutions, state export support agencies and non-governmental institutions. The report also evaluates the key instruments and measures for agricultural exports promotion in countries of the region, in particular, to the financing of export promotion measures from the state budget.
Food Outlook
13/09/2018
Food Outlook is published by the Trade and Markets Division of FAO under Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS). It is a biannual publication focusing on developments affecting global food and feed markets. Each report provides comprehensive assessments and short term forecasts for production, utilization, trade, stocks and prices on a commodity by commodity basis and includes feature articles on topical issues. Food Outlook maintains a close synergy with another major GIEWS publication, Crop Prospects and Food Situation, especially with regard to the coverage of cereals. Food Outlook is available in English. The summary section is also available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.
OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2018-2027
13/09/2018
The Agricultural Outlook 2018-2027 is a collaborative effort of the OECD and FAO prepared with input from the experts of their member governments and from specialist commodity organisations. It provides a consensus assessment of the medium term (ten year) prospects for agricultural and fish commodity markets at national, regional and global levels. This year’s edition contains a special focus on the agriculture and fish sectors of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
Oilseeds, Oils and Meals. Monthly Price and Policy Update No.110, September 2018
13/09/2018
In August, the FAO price index for oilseeds registered a timid recovery of 0.8 points (or 0.6 percent) to 145.6 points. While the index still remained below the level observed in August 2017, the month-on-month increase marked the first rebound, albeit a small one, since May. Meanwhile, the price indices for vegetable oils and oilmeals continued to decline, shedding 3.7 and 6.2 points (or 2.6 and 3.4 percent) respectively. The meals index dropped for the fourth consecutive month, posting a 7-month low, while the oils index fell for the seventh month in succession, nearing a 3-year low.