FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 10/00 - ROMANIA (15 September)
Romania has been struck by a severe drought this summer, reported to be the worst in the past 30 years, which has had a devastating impact on the 2000 cereal output. The latest official estimate of the wheat crop is 4.3 million tonnes, somewhat better than some predictions earlier in the summer but nevertheless about 9 percent down from 1999 and over 20 percent down from the five- year average. The summer maize crop has been much harder hit, however, and latest indications point to an output of just about 5.5 million tonnes, compared to the five-year average of about 10 million tonnes.