Fao: world grain production set for new record high in 2013
This estimate by the rome-based UN food and agriculture organization brings fuller stocks and the prospect of a more stable market situation.
In a statement issued on thursday, the FAO also draws attention to the insecure supply situation in conflict countries such as syria, egypt, north korea and several african countries. In syria, for example, wheat production has fallen sharply because of the civil war.
Wheat production alone skyrockets nearly seven percent this year to about 704 million tons. It thus reaches a high point and more than compensates for the drop in production in 2012. Even more massive is the increase in coarse grain production, which FAO estimates will reach 1.28 billion tons this year.
Grain imports from poor countries with food needs allowed to increase by five percent in 2013/14. Especially egypt, indonesia and nigeria will have to import more than in the past.
In addition to four million people in the civil war country of syria, around 15 million people in several countries in central and eastern africa are affected by food shortages. 34 countries worldwide depend on food aid from auben, including 27 countries in africa, he said.
