During March 2005, a mid-season crop assessment was carried out by an agronomist at the request of FAO and WFP Country Offices. This was not the usual FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM) which in addition to crop assessment evaluates the prospective overall food supply and demand situation and the food needs of vulnerable population groups. It was subsequently proposed that a full but relatively short CFSAM be...

Prospects for the 2005 global cereal crop remain favourable. Latest production forecasts indicate a decline from the record output of 2004 but not as large as anticipated earlier. FAO’s first forecast of world cereal trade in the 2005/06 marketing season points to a slight decrease from the revised 2004/05 level, mainly due to lower wheat import demand. Global cereal utilization is expected to increase somewhat in 2005/06, which coupled...

The 26 December 2004 earthquake and ensuing tidal waves was the world’s strongest natural event, in terms of energy, since the Krakatoa volcano eruption of 1883. The estimated number of people either dead or missing in northern Sumatra’s mainland and northwest islands is 250 000, with over 500 000 internally displaced, many of whom are in refugee or Temporary Lodging camps (TLCs).

Another good world cereal crop is forecast in 2005, although lower than the exceptional harvest in 2004. Dry weather in several Asian countries since late last year has negatively impacted the 2004 secondary paddy crop season, which is nearing its conclusion. Nevertheless, the 2004 aggregate rice production is still estimated to be the second highest on record. World cereal stocks at the end of crop seasons ending in 2005 are...

Subsidies maintain cotton production at otherwise unprofitable levels in industrialized countries Excess supply induced by domestic subsidies has a depressing effect on the world market price Subsidy reductions will reduce poverty in developing producing countries Estimates of the magnitude of the impact of subsidies on the global pattern of cotton production, world market prices and cotton trade vary due to the range of assumptions used by different studies.

An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited Ethiopia from 8 November to 8 December 2004 to estimate the main meher season cereal and pulse production; review the final estimates of the 2003 meher and 2004 secondary belg season harvests; forecast the 2005 belg season production; assess the overall food supply situation; and estimate cereal import requirements, including food aid needs, for the 2005 marketing year (January/December). Accompanied by...

An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Assessment Mission visited Eritrea from 15 November to 3 December 2004 to estimate the 2004 main season harvest, assess the overall food supply situation and forecast import requirements for 2005, including food assistance needs.

The GIEWS Updates are issued by FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) from mid-2004. The updates focus on developing anomalous conditions aimed at providing early warnings, as well as latest and more elaborate information than other GIEWS regular reports on the food security situation of countries, at both national and sub-national levels.

Une mission FAO/PAM d’évaluation des récoltes et des disponibilités alimentaires s’est rendue en Haïti du 4 au 22 octobre 2004 pour estimer la production céréalière de 2004 ainsi que les besoins d’importations céréalières pour la campagne de commercialisation (juillet/juin). Des responsables du Ministère de l’agriculture ont prêté leur concours à la Mission dans la capitale et sur le terrain. En particulier, l’organisme national chargé de la sécurité alimentaire, à savoir...

Une Mission conjointe FAO/CILSS d’évaluation des récoltes et des disponibilités alimentaires a séjourné au Cap-Vert du 25 octobre au 3 novembre 2004. La mission a travaillé en collaboration avec les différents services nationaux concernés par le suivi de la campagne agricole à l'occasion d’une séance de travail avec le GTP en vue de valider les informations relatives à la campagne agricole.