FAO predicts 690 million tonnes wheat production for the year

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has forecasted that the wheat production for the year will amount to 690 million tones.

The forecasted wheat production is 10 million tonnes less than 2011 wheat production; this was revealed to NaijaAgroNet in a press statement by FAO.

It was also gathered that planting is on the increase or predicted to increase in many countries this year in response to strong prices.

Further NaijaAgroNet noted that the forecast report revealed an expectation of a return to normal yields in areas where high records were achieved last year.

The report also made known that a global forecast of cereal output for the year is too early.

In Eastern Africa, despite some improvement, the food situation of vulnerable groups remains precarious, especially in pastoral areas affected by earlier drought. The food security situation in the Sudan and South Sudan is of concern following poor harvests. 

On another note, the FAO's Food Price index published on the 19th March, 2012 revealed a 1 per cent increase over January's. There have been also increased imports as a result of weaker US Dollar and plunging freight rates have also characterized world markets since the beginning of 2012.

Yinka Awosanya/LS

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