Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
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Cereal output for 2017 estimated at record levels
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Cereal imports expected to decline during 2017/18 marketing year
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Rice prices declined in October
Cereal output for 2017 estimated at record levels
Cereal production for 2017 is estimated at 4.8 million tonnes, a record level. The rise mainly reflects a significant increase in plantings of rice and yellow maize in response to high price levels driven by robust demand. Rice and maize plantings in 2017 increased by 10 and 12 percent, respectively, over the 2016 levels. Favourable weather conditions also supported crop yields. The increase in plantings of maize and rice was mostly done at expenses of plantings of sorghum and other cereals. Rice and maize production is estimated at 2.9 and 1.9 million tonnes, respectively, both being record levels.
Cereal imports expected to decline during 2017/18 marketing year
Cereal imports in the 2017/18 marketing year (January/December) are forecast at 7.4 million tonnes, with a sharp decline from the 2016/17 record level of more than 8 million tonnes. The forecast level is still well above average, reflecting the high demand for yellow maize for the feed industry.
Rice prices declined in October
Prices of main staple rice declined by almost 5 percent in October and were significantly below their levels from a year earlier. Prices were pressured by the ample availabilities from the recent bumper harvests.