JUNE ISSUE OF FAO'S FOOD OUTLOOK TO BE ISSUED
Press Release
SAG/39
JUNE ISSUE OF FAO'S FOOD OUTLOOK TO BE ISSUED
19990610 ROME, 10 June (FAO) -- The June issue of FAO's food outlook will be available today, embargoed for use after 1 a.m. GMT on Friday, 11 June. The following are highlights, for planning purposes:FAO's latest forecast puts global cereal output in 1999 at 1.858 billion tonnes, 1.3 per cent below last year's crop. Wheat output is forecast at 579 million tonnes, 2.6 per cent down from 1998 and below trend, that of coarse grains at 891 million tonnes, 1.5 per cent down from the previous year and also below trend. Global rice output is tentatively forecast to increase by 1.4 per cent to 387 million tonnes (milled basis). Current forecasts suggest cereal output in 1999 would not meet expected consumption requirements in 1999-2000. If correct, global cereal reserves accumulated in the last three seasons will have to be drawn down.
A major humanitarian emergency persists in Europe, where thousands of refugees continue to flee from Kosovo over the past weeks. Elsewhere, serious food supply problems also persist in several countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The FAO's first forecast of world trade in cereals in 1999-2000 is 212 million tonnes, 5 million tonnes up from 1998-1999. Global trade in wheat is expected to increase by about 5 per cent to 100 million tonnes, and that for coarse grains by almost 2 per cent, to 92 million tonnes. By contrast, for rice, reduced trade is anticipated in response to better production prospects among several major importing countries.
International wheat and coarse grains prices weakened further since March, mostly reflecting continuing sluggish demand on international markets and generally satisfactory growing conditions for 1999 crops. International rice prices fell in April, but recovered somewhat in May in response to increased import demand.
Global production of pulses is expected to rise in 1999 to 58.5 million tonnes. World imports of pulses are also seen to rise, with larger shipments for direct food consumption more than offsetting reduced trade of feed beans. Prices for lentils and chickpeas are anticipated to be firm in 1999 but prospects for other pulses are mixed.
- 2 - Press Release SAG/39 10 June 1999
The FAO estimates world sugar production in 1998-1999 at 129.6 million tonnes, 6.5 per cent up from the previous season. At this level, output would be above demand for the fourth year in succession and stocks would rise further. Reflecting oversupply on international markets, sugar prices have continued to fall sharply this season.
The report will be available on the FAO web site tomorrow. Those wishing to have the report today should contact FAO's Media Office (tel: 39-06-5705 3625, fax: 39-06-5705 3699) with the understanding that the report is embargoed for use after 1 A.M. GMT on FRIDAY, 11 JUNE. You can find the full food outlook Friday at URL: http://www.fao.org -- then click on ECONOMICS, GIEWS and see publications and reports; click on food outlook.
You can listen/download the sound of a 3 min. interview with Manuel Gavela (FAO Senior expert- GIEWS) on the Food situation in Central America, by Liliane Kambirigi:
1/In RealAudio (with Realplayer G2)
-- ftp: //ext-ftp.fao.org/Radio/RealAudio/after-Mitch.rm
2/In mp3 (with any mp3 player,Quicktime 4.0 or Windows Media Player)
-- ftp://ext-ftp.fao.org/Radio/MP3/after-Mitch.mp3
Inquiries should be directed to:
FAO Media-Office (Media-Office@fao.org) John Riddle, 0039-06-5705 3259, John.Riddle@FAO.Org Liliane Kambirigi, 0039-06-5705 3223, Liliane.Kambirigi@FAO.Org Erwin Northoff, 0039-06-5705 3105; e-mail: Erwin.Northoff@FAO.Org.
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