Aggregate crop production in 2017/18 is forecast at 5.5 million tonnes, 5 percent below the 2016/17 level. Production prospects for the 2017/18 early season crops are favourable, partially compensating the reduced main season output gathered in October 2017 that was affected by dry weather conditions. The overall cereal deficit for the 2017/18 marketing year (November/October) is forecast at about 652 000 tonnes, well above the previous year’s already high level,...

Poor rains in 2017 affected livestock across the pastoral areas of the Sahel. Persisting insecurity hampers access of animals to the grazing areas in northeastern Nigeria, northern Mali and the Lake Chad Region. Large concentrations of livestock in safe areas are resulting in shortages of pasture and depressed prices of livestock products and incomes for pastoralists. Prices of cereals are generally at high levels as demand is reinforced by the...

World milk output is forecast to reach nearly 828 million tonnes in 2018, up 2.1 percent from 2017. This year, milk outputs are anticipated to increase in all major regions, with the largest increase is anticipated in Asia, followed by Europe, North America, and South America. Africa, Oceania and Central America are anticipated to recover from downturns experienced in 2017. In 2018, World dairy exports are forecast to reach 75 million...

Export prices of maize from the United States of America increased in May, underpinned by the impact of heavy rains in key growing areas, which also limited the decline in the export prices of wheat. International prices of rice remained generally stable. In East Africa, severe early and mid-season dryness affecting production prospects for the 2019 harvests continued to support the increases in prices of maize in several countries of...

Countries requiring external assistance for food: FAO assesses that globally 39 countries are in need of external assistance for food. Persisting conflicts continue to be the dominant factor driving the high levels of severe food insecurity. Weather shocks have also adversely impacted food availability and access.

International prices of wheat and maize in April were generally higher, supported by weather concerns in key producing countries and brisk trade. International prices of rice increased in response to renewed import demand in Asia. In East Africa, in the Sudan, prices of staple foods, millet, sorghum and wheat, remained firm or increased in April and were at record or near-record highs, underpinned by a weak currency, the removal of...

The April 2018 issue of the FAO Rice Market Monitor (RMM) provides an analysis and forecasts of world rice production, utilization, and global rice inventories in 2017/2018 and 2018/19 season. It also covers the outlook of world trade in rice in calendar year 2018, as well as a review of international rice prices during the first quarter of 2018.

World meat output, comprising bovine, pig, poultry and ovine meat, is estimated at 330 million tonnes in 2017, an increase of 1 percent from 2016. Among the main meat producing countries, total meat output expanded in the United States (+2.8%), Brazil (+2.1%), the Russian Federation (+4%), Argentina (+4.8%), Mexico (+3.5%), India (+2.7); stagnated in China and the EU; but declined in South Africa (-2.5%). Across the main meat categories, poultry...