FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - MONGOLIA (1 February)
Harvest of the 2001 wheat crop, the main food staple, was completed in November and output was about average at 190 000 tonnes. This represents only a slight recovery from the previous year’s 186 000 tonnes. The low output is attributed to recurrent harsh winters, structural changes in the economy and the absence of an integrated farming system.
In 2000-2001 the country experienced the worst winter in decades which seriously affected the food security of a large segment of the nomadic population. International food assistance helped significantly and is expected to continue through 2002. The impact of another severe cold winter this year could aggravate the fragile situation faced by thousands of herder families. A severe winter storm was experienced in December 2001 which killed over 66 000 head of livestock, while 24 000 animals disappeared. The situation is likely to deteriorate as very cold and windy conditions are forecast in the coming weeks. (In 2001 some 3.5 million animals froze to death.)