FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 10/00 - RUSSIAN FEDERATION (18 September)

The 2000 grain harvest is well underway and yield returns confirm forecasts of a higher output than last year's poor crop, officially estimated at only 55 million tonnes of grains and pulses. However, yields in some areas affected by summer hot and dry conditions, such as the Urals, have been lower than anticipated. Current indications are that the 2000 harvest could be around 66 million tonnes, or some 10 percent higher than FAO's estimate of output last year. However, the final outcome depends crucially on the extent of the loss in yield potential due to summer dry conditions in the virgin lands and on harvesting all of the area sown - 1 million hectares less than in the preceding year.

Falling prices for cereals confirm the outlook for a better harvest. Provided the harvest forecast materializes, the cereal import requirement in 2000/01 could fall significantly below the nearly 8 million tonnes imported in 1999/2000.

In Chechnya, 2000 agricultural production was greatly compromised by the security situation as well as the shortages of machinery, fuel and inputs. The outlook for winter grain planting for harvest next year is also reported to be bleak due to lack of financial resources and fuel. Latest reports indicate that only 40 000 hectares have been prepared for autumn sowing.

In Chechnya many people are destitute and having to face another harsh mountain winter with inadequate shelter, food, water, sanitation and infrastructure. A large proportion of the population of Chechnya needs food aid to survive but pledges to date fall well short of the needs. A recent UN Inter-Agency Assessment of the situation in Grozny indicated that there is an acute need for food aid, including for communal kitchens and bakeries which are no longer operatinal due to shortage of food. These were an important source of nourishment for vulnerable gropus, such as the elderly, children and handicapped people.

WFP is currently distributing food to 35 000 beneficiaries in three districts of Grozny and has planned to cover additional 23 000 benefciaries of the fourth district in Grozny from September. However, food aid pledges to support WFP operation in Chechnya fall well short of requirements.

Back to menu