FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - ROMANIA (5 September)
Cereal production in 2001 has recovered significantly from the severely drought reduced crop last year. The latest official estimate puts the total 2001 wheat crop at 7.8 million tonnes, more than 3 million tonnes up from 2000 as a result of increased plantings as well as much more favourable weather conditions. Some unofficial sources indicate that the wheat crop may not be quite this large but nevertheless all sources quote figures representing an increase of at least 50 percent from the previous year. The summer maize crop has again been affected by dry conditions, which set-in from early July. However, apart from the most affected areas in southeastern parts of the country, the damage has not been as large as last year when drought affected the entire cropping season. Unofficial estimates put the maize crop at about 6 to 7 million tonnes this year compared to just 4.2 million tonnes in 2000. Given the current outlook for supply and demand in the 2001/02 marketing year Romania is not expected to import significant quantities of cereals have could have some exportable surplus of wheat, barley and maize.