Global milk output in 2018 is estimated at 842 million tonnes, an increase of 2.2 percent from 2017, driven by production expansions in India, Turkey, the EU, Pakistan, the United States and Argentina, but partially offset by declines in China and Ukraine, among few others. This increase has come about as a result of higher dairy herd numbers along with improvements to milk collection processes (India and Pakistan), efficiency improvements...

FAO assesses that globally 41 countries, of which 31 are in Africa, continue to be in need of external assistance for food. Conflict remains the main driver of high levels of severe food insecurity. Weather‑induced production declines and economic instability have also adversely impacted on food availability and access.

Global meat output in 2018 is estimated at 336.4 million tonnes, up 1.2 percent from 2017, principally originated in the United States, the EU, and the Russian Federation, but partially offset by a decline in China and stagnation in Brazil, two of the world’s largest meat producers. Meat output volumes expanded in all major regions in the world, especially in Europe and North America. Productivity improvements, as countries introduced better...

An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) visited South Sudan from 3 to 13 December 2018 to estimate the cereal production during 2018 and assess the overall food security situation in the country. The CFSAM reviewed the findings of several Crop Assessment Missions conducted from May to December 2018 at planting and harvest time in different agro-ecological zones of the country. As during the past four years, all...

Between 26 November and 14 December 2018, assisted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF) carried out its annual Assessment Mission to determine the crop production and the food supply situation throughout the 18 states of the country. The Mission consisted of six core teams comprising members from the MoAF, the Food Security Technical Secretariat (FSTS) of the MoAF,...

International prices of wheat fell in February mainly on account of a weaker pace in exports, while prices of maize generally increased. International prices of rice held steady, with a decline in Indica prices offsetting increases in those of Japonica varieties. In Southern Africa, tight supplies from the 2018 reduced outputs and uncertain 2019 production prospects continued to provide upward pressure to the prices of maize in most countries of the...

A comprehensive analysis of production, trade, and prices of major tropical fruits.

Triggered by fiscal challenges, food prices have risen significantly since late 2018, with negative impacts on access to food. Lower production prospects for the 2019 cereal crop and constrained import capacity also raise concerns about domestic supplies in 2019/20.