Biotech Updates

Global Wheat Production to Increase in 2011

March 25, 2011

The Food and Agriculture Organization has released its forecast of wheat production in 2011 in its March 2011 edition of Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report. Wheat production has improved by 3.4 percent from 2010 but is still below the bumper harvests in 2008 and 2009. Wheat plantings have also increased in many countries and are expected to increase due to strong prices. Countries which have been affected by drought such as Russia are also expected to recover.

Forecasts have also been reported for Africa with a mixed picture due to the current social and political instability and there are uncertainties in production in Asia and South Africa due to weather and low moisture in farm fields. The Bulletin also reported that there are 29 countries needing external assistance for food, of which 21 are in Africa and seven in Asia.

For specific details on the Report see http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/53813/icode/