FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - YUGOSLAVIA, FED. REP. OF (SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO)* (5 September)

YUGOSLAVIA, FED. REP. OF (SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO)* (5 September)

An FAO/WFP joint crop and food supply assessment mission visited Serbia during the last week of June 2001. Agricultural production during the 2000/01 cropping season has witnessed a sharp recovery from a record low level last year. Optimal planting, availability of fuel and other farm inputs, a mild winter, widespread rains in spring and early summer as well as a virtually insect, pest and disease-free year have contributed to the sharp recovery of crop production this year. FAO estimates grain production this year at about 8.8 million tonnes (2000: 5.2 million tonnes), including 2.9 million tonnes of wheat and 5.5 million tonnes of maize. On average wheat yields increased by about 1 tonne per hectare to 3.8 tonnes compared with 2000 yields, while maize yields on average increased from 3.15 tonnes per hectare in 2000 to 4.5 tonnes per hectares in 2001.

Given the current domestic cereal utilization and production, an estimated surplus of about 700 000 tonnes will be available for exports, including 400 000 tonnes of wheat and 300 000 tonnes of maize. The government has authorized the export of about 115 150 tonnes of wheat and 150 000 tonne of maize for the second half of 2001.

WFP is providing food assistance to 575 000 beneficiaries, comprising of 215 000 refugees and 360 000 social cases. Following a joint WFP/UNHCR food needs assessment mission this year, the strategy is to continuously phase out food assistance programme by the end of 2002. The UNHCR and ECHO fresh food programmes will soon phase out, while the ICRC Kitchen Soup program was to be handed over to the Serbian Red Cross in July 2001.