Global cereal output to reach all time high in 2013: UNFAO

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated on 11 July 2013 that World cereal production is set to increase by 7 per cent in year 2013, to a record 2.479 million tonnes, predicting it would help stabilise prices in 2013-14.

UNFAO closely monitored, food markets as price spikes can make worse the global hunger crisis. UNFAO has come up with report named Crop Prospects and Food Situation report.

Some Facts as Highlighted by UNFAO

• Around 868 million people in the world did not have enough to eat in the 2010-12 period.
• As per FAO food insecurity was on the rise in conflict-stricken countries like Syria, Egypt, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia, as well as in Madagascar, due to crop damage by locusts and a cyclone.
• FAO in its major indication came to a conclusion that the situation was said to be critical, but improving, in most parts of the Sahel region, thanks to a good cereal harvest last year, while in North Korea food insecurity is chronic.
• Sria's food security situation has significantly deteriorated over the past year and domestic agricultural production will further decline over the next 12 months if the present conflict continues.
• The FAO Mission forecasts wheat import requirement of about 1.5 million tonnes for the current 2013/2014 season. Current wheat production is 2.4 million tonnes, some 40 percent less than the annual average harvest of more than 4 million tonnes before the crisis and 15 percent lower than the reduced harvest of 2011/2012.
• Cereal imports of Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries for 2013/14 are estimated to rise by some 5 percent, compared to 2012/13, to meet growing demand. Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria, in particular, are forecast to import larger volumes.
• As per UNFAO In total, there are 34 countries requiring external food assistance, of which 27 countries are in Africa.