“Despite an improvement in the outlook for global cereal supplies in 2008/09… FAO’s latest estimates indicate that 36 countries around the world are in need of external assistance as a result of crop failures, conflict or insecurity, natural disasters, and high domestic food prices,” reports FAO’s October Crop Prospects and Food Situation Update.
“In Eastern Africa, the outlook remains unfavourable for the cereal harvests in several countries, including parts of Ethiopia, Somalia and parts of Kenya and Uganda.”
“In Western Africa, overall early crop prospects are favourable.”
“In Asia, the regional cereal output is set to increase slightly from last year’s good level.”
“In South America, record coarse grain crops have been harvested” this year.
See also IRIN’s food crisis page.
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