UN forecasts record world cereal production for 2004
In a further positive development for global food security, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today again raised its forecast for this year’s world cereal production, this by 55 million tons to a record 2.04 billion tons.
In a further positive development for global food security, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today again raised its forecast for this year’s world cereal production, this by 55 million tons to a record 2.04 billion tons.
“With this level of production, even after an expected increase in world cereal consumption in 2004-2005, a significant surplus is forecast for the first time since 1999/2000,” the agency said in the December issue of its Food Outlook, calling it a “positive aspect” following a drop during the last four years.
In September FAO had forecast production at 1.985 billion tons, 29 million tons more than the June prediction.
Much of the increase stems from the exceptional maize harvest in the United States and a much larger wheat crop in Europe than had been expected.