RUSSIAN FEDERATION (3 September)
Total grain harvest in 2002/03 marketing year is estimated at about 79.6 million tonnes compared with more than 85 million tonnes last year. Total grain harvest this year includes 46 million tonnes of wheat, 16.5 million tonnes of barley and about 1.3 million tonnes of maize. Cereal exports in 2002/03 marketing year are estimated at about 6.8 million tonnes compared with 6.9 million tonnes the previous year. Cereal imports in 2002/03 marketing year are estimated at 1.6 million tonnes, which is similar to last year. Maize imports estimated at 679 000 tonnes for the ensuing marketing year, is the largest import commodity and imports are seen to rise with increased poultry sector.
WFP and other international organisations continue to assist the internally displaced Chechen population in Chechnya and Ingushetia. The current WFP food assistance programme, which began in January 2001, shall continue until the end of December 2002, by then some 76 000 tonnes of food would have been distributed to 310 000 internally displaced and vulnerable persons.