Attachments
COUNTRIES REQUIRING EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD
FAO assesses that globally 45 countries, including 33 in Africa, nine in Asia, two in Latin America and the Caribbean and one in Europe, are in need of external assistance for food. Although drought conditions eased in East Africa, production prospects remain unfavourable in 2023, while conflicts in several parts of the African continent are aggravating food security concerns. At the global level, El Niño poses a risk to agricultural production and food security in several regions, particularly Southern Africa and Central America.
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
AFRICA Substantial rainfall deficits curbed 2023 wheat harvests in North Africa, whilst aggregate cereal production in Southern Africa, despite the impact of cyclones and dryness, is pegged at an above-average level. Erratic rains are impairing 2023 production prospects in East Africa, following two successive years of widespread drought that had a devastating impact on food security, which is further weakened by confl icts, notably in the Sudan. In West Africa, beneficial weather conditions are underpinning an overall favourable production outlook in 2023, but conflicts still impinge on local agricultural productive capacity.
ASIA In Far East Asia, aggregate wheat production reached a record high in 2023 and prospects are generally favourable for the other 2023 main season cereal crops. In Myanmar, civil insecurity is causing shortages and high prices of agricultural inputs, potentially curtailing production. Following early-season dryness in Near East Asia, increased rainfall amounts since March improved crop conditions and 2023 cereal production is forecast at an above average level.
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
In South America, prolonged drought conditions have cut production in Argentina, where the 2023 maize harvest is forecast well below the average.
By contrast, robust demand has driven up plantings in Brazil and, combined with good weather conditions, maize production is foreseen to reach an all-time record in 2023. In Central America and the Caribbean, poor rainsl in 2023 are undermining cereal production prospects in Haiti, where acute food insecurity worsened due to civil insecurity, violence and the country's economic downturn.