Record cereal crop predicted
Latest information continues to point to a significant 7.2 percent increase in 2013 world cereal production to 2 479 million tonnes, a new record. FAO now puts world wheat output in 2013 at 704 million tonnes, an increase of 6.8 percent, which would imply more than full recovery from the previous year’s reduction and bring world production to its highest level in history. By far, the bulk of the increase this year is expected to originate in Europe, as prospects remain favourable overall in the EU and outputs in the major producing CIS countries are forecast to rebound sharply from drought-reduced levels in 2012. The outlook is also positive in Canada, Australia and Argentina - other major exporters - and in most other wheat producing and consuming countries. The main exception is the United States, where wheat crop growth has been hindered by adverse weather conditions – drought in particular - this season.
World production of coarse grains in 2013 is now forecast by FAO at about 1 275 million tonnes, up sharply (9.7 percent) from 2012. Latest estimates confirm increased harvests in Argentina and Brazil, the two major producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere, while a smaller crop has been harvested in South Africa. Elsewhere, increased outputs are forecast among the major Northern Hemisphere producing countries. In the United States, where maize plantings increased and yields are expected to return to normal after last year’s drought-reduced levels, production is expected to recover markedly. Maize output is also set to increase in China, which accounts for the bulk of the production in Asia, and in the EU, where prospects are particularly favourable in the large maize producing areas of Romania and Hungary.
World rice production in 2013 is forecast to expand by 1.9 percent to 500 million tonnes (milled equivalent) with strong gains in all regions except Europe and North America. However, prospects are still very provisional, as July and August are critical for the development of the northern hemisphere main paddy crops. In addition, production growth this season could be dampened by expectations of falling prices and recent policy changes that may encourage farmers to shift to other crops.
World cereal utilization in the new season (2013/14) is likely to expand by 3.4 percent from the 2012/13 estimated level to 2 415 million tonnes. Most of this increase would reflect higher feed use, which is projected to absorb 843 million tonnes, 5.8 percent more than in 2012/13. Utilization of cereals for food is forecast to expand by 1.5 percent, to 1 099 million tonnes, which would lift world average per caput consumption from 152.5 kg in 2012/13 to 153.3 kg in 2013/14. Other uses of cereals, including industrial use, and waste (or post-harvest loss) are projected to reach 473 million tonnes, up 3.7 percent from 2012/13.
http://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/csdb/en/
= new reply since forum marked as read
But growth in cereal grains means a greater human footprint on the planet.
More people, more impacts, less water, decrease in the health of the planet.
No need to help it out!
