FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - BELARUS (6 September)
Harvesting of spring grains is well underway and output is set to surpass last year’s levels. FAO tentatively forecasts grain production at 5 million tonnes, about 200 000 tonnes more than last year’s estimates. Grain output mainly comprises of barley, rye, wheat and oats, 1.75, 1.5, 0.75 and 0.6 million tonnes, respectively. Official forecasts, however, put grain output at 6 million tonnes, which is not supported by the area, yield and input supply data.
Cereal imports, mainly from the CIS, is seen at 691 000 tonnes this year compared with 734 000 tonnes in 2000/01 marketing year. Wheat imports account for nearly 80 percent of the total cereal imports.