FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 04/02 - SUDAN* (25 April)
The 2001/02 total cereal production has been estimated at 4.75 million tonnes, comprising 3.77 million tonnes of sorghum, about 579 000 tonnes of millet, 315 000 tonnes of wheat (being harvested) and about 146 000 tonnes of other cereals. At this level, cereal production is about 36 percent above last year’s crop and about 13 percent above the average of the last five years. Sorghum market prices have fallen below production costs in main producing areas, and this may depress planted area next year.
Despite the improved food supply situation, an estimated 3 million IDPs, drought-affected and vulnerable people in different parts of the country will require food assistance through 2002. An Emergency Operation was jointly approved in April 2002 by FAO and WFP for food assistance for 2.9 million people, worth US$132.8 million for a period of 12 months (1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003).