This policy brief provides an overview of how digital technologies can help facilitate access to trade finance for market participants, in particular micro, small and medium sized enterprises, by addressing numerous challenges in traditional trade finance.

In June, FAO’s price index for oilseeds recovered moderately from the nine-month low observed in May, gaining 2.0 points (or 2.3 percent). Mean-while, the vegetable oils index saw a marked rebound after declining for four months in a row, climbing by 8.8 points (or 11.3 percent) from its May value. By contrast, the oilmeal index continued declining, shedding 1.9 points (or 2.3 percent) month-on-month and reaching a six-month low. While...

In late May 2020, a locust outbreak was reported in northeastern provinces of Formosa, Santa Fé and Corrientes in Argentina. Crop and pasture losses have been limited due to the implementation of effective control measures. If swarms move to key producing areas of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, they could threaten the main 2020 winter wheat and barley crops that will be harvested in the last quarter of the year. Intensification...

Export prices of wheat continued to decline in June, pressured by the progress of the new harvests and a favourable global supply outlook. International prices of rice decreased for the first time since the start of the year mainly on account of slow trading activities. By contrast, prices of maize increased, after declining in the past several months, supported by strong global demand and adverse growing conditions in the United...

FAO assesses that globally 44 countries, of which 34 are in Africa, continue to be in need of external assistance for food. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are causing wide‑ranging and severe negative impacts on food security, particularly through the loss of income. Conflicts and weather shocks remain critical factors that underpin the current high levels of severe food insecurity.

The FAO/GIEWS Country Cereal Balance System (CCBS) is a database of annual supply and utilization balances for main cereals, covering all countries of the world. Since 1980, the FAO/GIEWS team maintains and updates it continually. This statistical report contains a subset of CCBS data and presents updated cereal supply and demand balances for all sub-Saharan African countries. It complements the information of the FAO/GIEWS Crop Prospects and Food Situation report...

The publication presents analysis of agricultural trade policies in post-Soviet countries. The aim of the review is to monitor the latest changes in trade policies of these countries, affecting the dynamics and structure of trade. The publication includes a chapter with an overview of the prospects for expanding the agricultural trade of some Central Asian countries with China and the Russian Federation, and a chapter about the impact of climate...