Prolonged dry spell from April to early June in main growing areas of the country affected plantings and yield potential of the 2015 food crops. Production of the 2014/15 early season potatoes and minor wheat and barley crops, currently harvested, anticipated to be considerably reduced. More rains are urgently needed to avoid a significant decrease in 2015 cereal production and the deterioration of the food security situation.

International prices of wheat and maize in May averaged lower than in the previous month and were well below their year‑earlier levels, on account of the generally positive outlook for the 2015 crops. Rice quotations moved also downwards mostly due to slow export sales. In East Africa, in Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda, maize prices strengthened further in May, after spiking in April, and doubled their levels of...

In March 2015, the arrival of El Niño was officially declared and, according to the latest forecast, there is a 80-90 percent probability that it will continue until the end of the year. Currently, El Niño-related weather anomalies are a concern especially in the areas where the 2015 main cropping season has just started, including southern Asia, East Africa and West Africa. Close monitoring of developments is, therefore, warranted to...

Following the widespread devastation caused by the 25 April earthquake, the food security situation in Nepal is very dire for large number of people. The devastation caused by the earthquake seriously jeopardized prospects for the forthcoming 2015 summer crops to be planted from late May. Most marketing activities have been severely disrupted, hampering access to food. As of 10 May 2015, at least 8 019 people were confirmed dead,...

International prices of wheat declined in April as 2015 crop prospects in main exporting countries continued to improve. Maize prices remained unchanged, while rice quotations from most origins weakened mainly on account of subdued export demand. In exporter South Africa, domestic maize prices decreased in April, after strong gains since January, pressured by a combination of lower international prices and slightly improved 2015 production prospects. In southern countries of East...

An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) visited South Sudan from 2 to 14 February 2015 to estimate cereal production during 2014 and assess the overall food security situation. Although there have been notable improvements relative to the first half of 2014, the food security perspectives during 2015 remain a cause for concern. Even though households in non-conflict areas have larger stocks as a result of the 2014...

Food Outlook is published by the Trade and Market Division of FAO under Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS). It is a biannual publication focusing on developments affecting global food and feed markets. Each report provides comprehensive assessments and short term forecasts for production, utilization, trade, stocks and prices on a commodity by commodity basis and includes feature articles on topical issues. Food Outlook maintains a close synergy with...

Maize production in 2015 expected to decline significantly from the bumper output of 2014. Consequently, the subregional maize import requirements are forecast to increase sharply in 2015/16. Maize prices increased in South Africa, the major subregional exporter, by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the year. Food security improved significantly in 2014/15 following last year’s bumper crop; however, current production prospects raise concern.