RUSSIAN FEDERATION (11 May)
Spring cereal planting campaign in the main cereal producing regions of the Russian Federation is complete, while planting in some areas was delayed following unusually cold weather conditions during April. The April frost has reportedly killed more than 1 million hectares of winter cereals, while yields from weaker winter crops and late spring cereals are seen to be significantly lower than expected. Early government estimates predict an aggregate grain harvest of about 75 million tonnes in 2004/05 marketing year, which is some 8.4 million tonnes up on last year’s diminished harvest but more than 11 million tonnes down on 2002/03 harvest. Aggregate cereal export during the current (2003/04) marketing year is estimated at about 6.9 million tonnes. Cereal exports during the 2004/05 marketing year are forecast at about 7.5 million tonnes.
Military operations and civil strife in Chechnya continue to disrupt social and economic activities. The conflict has displaced more than 300 000 people, 100 000 of whom live in the neighbouring Ingushetia. Under the current 18-month Emergency Operation (EMOP), which began in January 2004, WFP will assist some 259 000 most vulnerable population in Chechnya and Ingushetia with 47 882 tonnes of food over a period of 18 months.