Record World Grain Crop for 2007

ROME - Apr 3/07 - SNS -- World cereal grain output is expected to rise 4.3% to a record 2,082 million metric tons (MT) this year, but 33 countries worldwide will continue to face critical food shortages, according to the April issue of FAO's Crop Prospects and Food Situation report.

The bulk of the increase is expected in maize or corn, 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 MT, and wheat to increase 4.8% to about 626 million MT. Global rice production in 2007 could rise marginally to 423 million MT in milled terms, about 3 million MT more than in 2006, FAO says.

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.

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