TEHRAN, July 16- The United Nations (UN) food agency on Sunday said that the global cereal production is expected to increase by seven per cent in 2013 compared to last year, Iran’s IRNA reported.
In its Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) forecasted that cereal production in 2013 will reach 2,479 million tonnes, a new record level.
It however warned that in spite of a boost in supply, various regions including Central Africa, West Africa and Syria are still affected by food insecurity.
Wheat, coarse grains and rice production are all expected to expand, which will help replenish global supplies of cereal and stabilise markets over the next year, the report said.
However, the report noted that many developing countries are still affected by food insecurity. In particular, the report focuses on various countries where conflict is preventing the population from satisfying their food needs.
The report cited an example in Syria where the wheat production dropped significantly in 2013 due to the escalating conflict in the country. The livestock sector has also been severely affected, and the report estimated that some four million people are facing severe food insecurity.
Meanwhile in Egypt, the civil unrest and dwindling foreign exchange reserves are also raising serious food security concerns.
In North Korea, despite an improved cereal harvest in the 2012 season, chronic food insecurity continues, with an estimated 2.8 million vulnerable people requiring food assistance until the next harvest in October.
The report also noted that conflict has also affected food security in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In total, there are 34 countries requiring external food assistance, of which 27 countries are in Africa, the report stated.
– BERNAMA
