FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - AZERBAIJAN (4 September)

AZERBAIJAN (4 September)

The recent winter cereal harvest was generally satisfactory and unaffected by drought and water shortages. However, the planned increase in area under spring crops did not materialize. Therefore, FAO tentatively forecasts grain production at 1.6 million tonnes, about 130 000 tonnes more than last year and nearly 500 000 tonnes more than 1999. The increase is mainly due to larger areas grown to cereals, nearly 700 000 hectares in 2001 compared with 648 000 hectares in 2000, at the expense of cotton and fodder crops. The grain output includes 1.3 million tonnes of wheat, 200 000 tonnes of barley and 100 000 tonnes of maize.

Cereal import requirement is anticipated at 720 000 tonnes compared to 796 000 tonnes imported in 2000/01, most of which will be imported commercially. The vulnerable and internally displaced population continue to depend on targeted food assistance. WFP has committed some 47 880 tonnes of food aid under a 3- year project (Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation) that began in July 1999 supporting some 485 000 beneficiaries.