International prices of wheat and maize rose in March for the third consecutive month and averaged more than 10 percent above their levels in December 2017. Prices were mainly supported by concerns over the impact of prolonged dryness in key-growing areas of the United States of America and Argentina, coupled with strong demand. International rice prices remained relatively stable. In South America, severe dry weather and strong demand underpinned the...

An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) visited South Sudan from 4 to 14 December 2017 to estimate the cereal production during 2017 and assess the overall food security situation. The CFSAM reviewed the findings of several Crop Assessment Missions conducted at planting and harvest time in the different agro-ecological zones of the country from May to December 2017. As during 2014, 2015 and 2016, all Assessment Missions...

Over one year of severe dry weather conditions affected forage and water availability in most pastoral and agro-pastoral areas, causing massive livestock deaths. Weather forecasts point to below-average precipitations during the April-June “gu” season and a full recovery of rangelands and animal conditions is unlikely. Prices of livestock have surged to very high levels in recent months, mainly due to reduced market supplies. The food security situation is critical in...

Between 17 November and 15 December 2017, 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 crop production and the food supply situation throughout the 18 states of the Sudan. The Mission consisted of six core teams comprising members from the MoAF, the Food Security Technical Secretariat (FSTS) of the MoAF, the...

FAO assesses that globally 37 countries are in need of external assistance for food. Conflicts continue to be the main factor driving the high levels of severe food insecurity. Weather shocks have also adversely impacted food availability and access, notably in East Africa.

Erratic precipitation and well below-average rains in January have lowered Southern Africa’s overall 2018 cereal production prospects. Current national maize stocks are forecast at above-average levels due to the record outputs in 2017; this should partly cushion the expected production declines in 2018. Reduced harvests are still foreseen to intensify food insecurity in 2018, increasing the number of people in need of assistance; however, humanitarian needs expected to remain below...

International prices of wheat and maize were generally firmer in January, supported by weather-related concerns and a weaker US dollar. Export price quotations of rice also strengthened mainly buoyed by renewed Asian demand. In East Africa, in the Sudan, prices of the main staples: sorghum, millet and wheat, rose sharply for the third consecutive month in January and reached record highs, underpinned by the removal of wheat subsidies and the...