FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - RUSSIAN FEDERATION (7 September)

RUSSIAN FEDERATION (7 September)

Spring harvesting is well underway and proceeding at a significantly faster rate compared to last year. FAO forecasts for this year’s grain harvest stands at about 74 million tonnes, some 3 million tonnes higher than the preceding year (2000: 71 million tonnes). Favourable growing conditions with adequate soil moistures for both spring and winter crops have contributed to higher yields, in particular in the Central Regions and Volga river basin. Given that favourable weather conditions persist and adequate harvesting machinery is available, it is likely that the forecast grain output from nearly 48 million hectares of planted area will be achieved (2000: 46 million hectares under grains). Floods and torrential rains in parts of Siberia and the Far Eastern regions have caused hardship and damage to property but is unlikely to affect the overall level of grain production.

Grain prices have continued to fall during the past few months, confirming the outlook for a better harvest. Cereal imports are seen to decline to 2.4 million tonnes in 2001/02 marketing year (1999/00: 8.4 million tonnes) due to lower domestic prices and better harvests. Cereal export, mainly wheat and barley, is expected to reach 1.53 million tonnes in 2001/02 marketing year (1999/00: 0.64 million tonnes).

Civil strife in Chechnya continues to disrupt life and crop production. Conflict- affected and displaced persons in Chechnya and Ingushetia depend on WFP and NGOs for basic and complementary food assistance. WFP has provided about 20,500 tonnes of food commodities to 268,000 people in both the republics between January and August 2001.