FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 10/00 - BELARUS (13 September)
Satellite imagery confirms official forecasts of a somewhat better grain harvest than last year's poor 3.6 million tonnes. However, bearing in mind untimely frost in May, hot dry conditions in June, pervasive economic problems and shortages of inputs, FAO tentatively forecasts the 2000 harvest at 4.5 million tonnes cleaned weight at most.
In 2000/01, the country will need to import cereals for human consumption. Aggregate cereal imports in 2000/01 are estimated at about 1.1 million tonnes.