Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries May Suffer Food Insecurity in 2007 – FAO Report

A slowdown in cereal production and prospects for continued high international prices could result in tighter food supply situation in low-income food-deficit countries, according to the latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report by the Food and Agriculture Organization. In Africa, in countries such as Morocco, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland, grain production is severely affected by drought. In Somalia, output is anticipated to be reduced due to irregular rains in the main growing areas.

In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea the food supply outlook remains precarious, but the first shipment of rice food aid from the Republic of Korea reportedly arrived in late June. Many districts in Nepal are also estimated to be food deficient. Chronic and widespread food insecurity prevails in the Far- and Mid-West mountain regions, where food assistance to vulnerable populations remains limited. The overall food security situation in Iraq continues to be adversely affected by conflict and security problems. In the Americas, Bolivia remains affected by serious crop and livestock losses following drought and floods during the main cropping season earlier this year.

Read the press release at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2007/1000628/index.html.