Record cereal crop forecasted for 2007

The bulk of the increase is expected in maize, with a
bumper crop already being gathered in South America, and a sharp increase in
plantings expected in the United States, according to the report. A significant
rise in wheat output is also foreseen, with a recovery in some major exporting
countries after weather problems last year.

FAO forecasts coarse grains production to
rise 5.6% to 1.033 million tonnes, and wheat to increase 4.8% to about
626 million tonnes. Global rice production in 2007 could rise marginally to
423 million tonnes in milled terms, about 3 million tonnes more than
in 2006, FAO says.

Low-income food-deficit countries
Although
still highly tentative, FAO’s first forecast indicates that for the group of 82
low-income food-deficit countries, 2007 cereal production could remain around
the above-average level of 2006. Following improved 2006 harvests in most of
these countries, cereal imports in the 2006/07 marketing year are expected to
decline in most regions.
However, despite improved food supplies in many
food insecure countries, 33 countries worldwide are in a critical situation,
mostly due to conflict and adverse weather, FAO says.