Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New York (Agenzia Fides) – The problems unleashed as a result of the severe food crisis that has strick entire regions of the planet continue to be of interest to millions of people, especially in the southern hemisphere. There are in fact 32 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America that are suffering a severe food emergency. Moreover, in spite of the 2008 record, the world's cereal production this year will suffer a considerable decline. At least this is what has been announced in the FAO's latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report.
Smaller plantings and adverse weather look likely to bring grain production down in most of the world's major producers, the FAO says. While conditions are generally favorable for winter wheat throughout Europe and the United States, planted area in these countries has declined, reflecting the prospect of sharply reduced returns compared to last year, combined with persisting high input costs, the report said.
In low-income food-deficit countries, prospects for early 2009 cereal crops point to lower output. The early outlook is for a smaller maize crop in southern Africa. Prolonged dry weather is adversely affecting wheat prospects in Asia, with almost half of China's winter wheat area suffering from severe drought. Much will depend on the rice crop yet to be planted in Asia. In South America, 2008 wheat production was halved by drought in Argentina, and persistent dry weather is adversely affecting prospects for the region's 2009 coarse grains (corn, oats, spelt, barley).
However, based on the latest estimates of cereal production in 2008 and projected utilization in 2008/09, FAO forecasts world cereal carryovers at 496 million tonnes going into the new 2009/10 seasons, the highest level since 2002.
This implies an easing of the cereal supply and demand situation in the low-income food-deficit countries as a group, following above-average harvests in 2008. However, these same countries as the ones witnessing the fact that domestic food prices remain very high on the local market. In Southern Africa and Central America, prices of main food commodities have continued to rise or have not decreased in recent months. Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also concerned for the high food prices in Asia.
There are countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, in which the food crisis is a serious cause for concern. In Eastern Africa, more than 18 million people face serious food insecurity due either to conflict, unrest, adverse weather or a combined effect, while in Southern Africa the total number of food insecure is estimated at some 8.7 million. The main causes are the conflicts, internal chaos, and the harsh weather conditions. This is also influenced by the global economic crisis as well. (Mtp) (Agenzia Fides 19/2/2009)
