Crop Prospects and Food Situation #1, March 2012

Year of publication2012

AuthorFAO

PublisherFAO

AbstractFAO’s first forecast for world wheat production in 2012 stands at 690 million tonnes, 10 million tonnes less than last year’s record high, but still the second largest crop. Plantings remain high in response to favourable price prospects but yields are assumed to return to average after bumper levels last year in some countries. International prices of cereals firmed in recent weeks with tightening wheat supplies and concerns over the impact of severe cold weather in Europe and the CIS. Maize prices also rose, mainly driven by stronger import demand in Asia, supported by a weaker dollar as well as concerns about crop prospects in South America. Rice prices, however, remained under downward pressure on generally weak import demand and stiff competition among exporters. The cereal import bill of Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs) as a group is anticipated to increase in 2011/12 mainly due to a decline in production and rise in import requirements in the major importing countries.

 

Product typeBook (stand-alone)

SeriesCrop Prospects and Food Situation

RegionGlobal

ISSN2707-2231

Areas of workGlobal Information and Early Warning System

KeywordsFood crops; crop monitoring; crop production; food supply; food security; conflicts; pandemics; early warning systems