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.
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.
GIEWS Update - The Sudan, 11 September 2018
11/09/2018
Fuel shortages are reported in several areas in the country, triggering sharp price increases in the parallel market. Prices of most agricultural inputs surged in the last 12 months to more than twice their year-earlier levels. Availability and access constraints to fuel and agricultural inputs are mainly caused by the depreciation of the Sudanese Pound and dwindling foreign currency reserves that have affected imports. Despite the provision of fuel by the Government to the agriculture sector, supply shortages have affected land preparation, planting and weeding operations.
No. 21 Trade and Nutrition
11/09/2018
This technical note explores the impact of trade on nutrition, addressing the role of trade in the “nutrition transition” and the extent to which trade policies affect nutritional objectives.
No. 32 Agricultural trade and employment: links, evidence and policy implications
10/09/2018
With agriculture accounting for roughly 70 percent of employment and 30 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in low-income countries, trade in agricultural products has the potential to significantly affect rural employment, incomes and poverty in these countries.
GIEWS Update - The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, 5 September 2018
05/09/2018
Below-average rains, coupled with high temperatures from mid-July until mid-August, a critical period for crops, affected 8 percent of the average area cultivated in the main season.
GIEWS Update - Central America, 27 August 2018
27/08/2018
There is a high risk of contraction in the production of basic grain crops in Central America because of the intensified "heat wave" in July, affecting the flowering and grain-filling phases of the crops. The maize and bean crops grown for self-consumption are expected to be the most affected, mainly in the areas of the “Dry Corridor”.
No. 31 WTO Negotiations - Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11) – Outcomes for agriculture and fisheries
15/08/2018
Between 10 and 13 December 2017, Trade Ministers gathered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to participate in the Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11). Following the conclusion of the meeting, this brief reports on its outcome, with particular reference to the negotiations on agriculture and fisheries.
The Linkages between Migration, Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development
01/08/2018
Understanding contemporary migration, both international and internal, remains a challenge. The decision by people to migrate either within their own countries or across borders is influenced by an intricate set of factors.
Dairy Market Review - December 2018
12/07/2018
Buoyed by rising export availabilities, dairy prices weakened in the second half of 2018. Milk production increased in key producing countries, including New Zealand in the 2018/19 production cycle. Aided by high production in some regions, global butter supplies improved in recent months, while cheese trade expanded in 2018 at a slow pace than in 2017. Trade in Skim Milk Powder (SMP) and Whole Milk Powder (WMP) expanded on ample supplies and competitive prices.
No. 30 Voluntary sustainability standards in agriculture, fisheries and forestry trade
11/07/2018
This brief discusses the application of voluntary sustainability standards in agriculture, fisheries and forestry trade.
Food Outlook - July 2018
10/07/2018
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.
GIEWS Update - The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, 9 July 2018
09/07/2018
Aggregate crop production in 2017/18 is forecast at 5.5 million tonnes, 5 percent below the 2016/17 level. Production prospects for the 2017/18 early season crops are favourable, partially compensating the reduced main season output gathered in October 2017 that was affected by dry weather conditions. The overall cereal deficit for the 2017/18 marketing year (November/October) is forecast at about 652 000 tonnes, well above the previous year’s already high level, reflecting an anticipated reduction in domestic output and imports.
GIEWS Update - West Africa - Sahel, 3 July 2018
03/07/2018
Poor rains in 2017 affected livestock across the pastoral areas of the Sahel. Persisting insecurity hampers access of animals to the grazing areas in northeastern Nigeria, northern Mali and the Lake Chad Region. Large concentrations of livestock in safe areas are resulting in shortages of pasture and depressed prices of livestock products and incomes for pastoralists. Prices of cereals are generally at high levels as demand is reinforced by the return of transhumant pastoralists moving from southern areas to northern normal grazing areas. Livestock prices are at low levels due to declining export demand from Nigeria, resulting in decreasing terms of trade and reducing pastoralists’ access to food. Around 2.5 million pastoralists and agro-pastoralists are food insecure, and a high risk of livelihood losses are expected during the lean season if mitigation actions are not taken. Timely support to pastoralists’ livelihoods is needed to prevent a deterioration of their food security situation and undesirable macro-economic implications.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #5, 11 June 2018
11/06/2018
Export prices of maize from the United States of America increased in May, underpinned by the impact of heavy rains in key growing areas, which also limited the decline in the export prices of wheat. International prices of rice remained generally stable. In East Africa, severe early and mid-season dryness affecting production prospects for the 2019 harvests continued to support the increases in prices of maize in several countries of the subregion. In the Sudan and South Sudan, a halt in currency depreciations contributed to a softer tone in prices of coarse grains in the past month. In Southern Africa, prices of maize came under general downward pressure in May with the start of the 2019 harvests. By contrast, in Zimbabwe, retail prices of maize and wheat flour spiked after upward price revisions by the milling industry, reflecting the continuing depreciation of the country’s currency as well as the sharply reduced production prospects for the 2019 cereal crops.
Dairy Market Review - October 2018
11/06/2018
World milk output is forecast to reach nearly 828 million tonnes in 2018, up 2.1 percent from 2017. This year, milk outputs are anticipated to increase in all major regions, with the largest increase is anticipated in Asia, followed by Europe, North America, and South America. Africa, Oceania and Central America are anticipated to recover from downturns experienced in 2017. In 2018, World dairy exports are forecast to reach 75 million tonnes, up 2.7 percent from the revised export figures for 2017. In 2018, much of the expanded global exports is expected to originate in the Americas and Oceania; stable in Europe and Africa; but to decline in Asia. The FAO Dairy Prices Index averaged 191.5 in September 2018, 6.4 percent higher than the level in January this year. At this level, the index is 14.6 percent below the corresponding month last year, and 30.5 percent below that of the peak it reached in February 2014.
Crop Prospects and Food Situation - Quarterly Global Report, No. 2, June 2018
07/06/2018
Countries requiring external assistance for food: FAO assesses that globally 39 countries are in need of external assistance for food. Persisting conflicts continue to be the dominant factor driving the high levels of severe food insecurity. Weather shocks have also adversely impacted food availability and access.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #4, 10 May 2018
10/05/2018
International prices of wheat and maize in April were generally higher, supported by weather concerns in key producing countries and brisk trade. International prices of rice increased in response to renewed import demand in Asia. In East Africa, in the Sudan, prices of staple foods, millet, sorghum and wheat, remained firm or increased in April and were at record or near-record highs, underpinned by a weak currency, the removal of wheat subsidies and increased transport costs. In Central America, prices of white maize increased sharply in March and April and reached levels well above those a year earlier in most countries of the subregion. Seasonal upward pressure was supported by higher purchasing prices from the milling industry, trends in the international market and increased fuel costs. In South America, prices of yellow maize and wheat continued to increase in Argentina, underpinned by strong demand and forecasts of lower crops this year. Prices of maize rose sharply also in Brazil, due to large exports and expectations of a decline in the 2018 harvests; those of wheat increased following the sharply reduced production last year and costlier imports.