FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - YUGOSLAVIA, FED. REP. OF (SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO) (5 February)

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

Cereal harvest in 2001 totalled 8.8 million tonnes compared with the drought and conflict affected harvest of 5.2 million tonnes in 2000. Cereal harvest last year included 2.9 million tonnes of wheat, 5.5 million tonnes of maize and 303 000 tonnes of barley. Given the current estimated domestic utilization and production, cereal exports for 2001/02 marketing year are estimated at 700 000 tonnes, including 400 000 tonnes of wheat and 300 000 tonnes of maize.

The country had planned to sow about 1 million hectares to winter crops, including 750 000 hectares to wheat. However, rainy weather conditions in late September and early November hampered the sowing campaign; as a result, the expected increase in cropped area has not been fully achieved. Provided sufficient seeds and fertilizers are available and favourable weather conditions prevail, a good harvest is in prospect.

WFP has extended its emergency food assistance programme, which will continuously phase out by December 2002. WFP currently assists some 575 000 beneficiaries, of which 215 000 are refugees and 360 000 social cases. The social cases will be phased out from the combined programme by mid- 2002.