FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
Wheat production expected to rebound in 2017
Cereal imports in 2017/18 (July/June) marketing year forecast to decrease from last year’s average level
Pockets of severe food insecurity persist
Wheat production to rebound in 2017 Harvesting of the 2017 winter wheat is nearing completion in southern low-lying areas and is expected to continue until the end of June in northern hilly areas. The 2017 wheat production is officially forecast to recover from last year’s dry weather-affected output by 6 percent to 1.8 million tonnes. The increase mostly reflects expectations of a return to average yields, supported by favourable weather conditions and adequate input supplies, such as seeds, fertilizers and fuel.
Planting of the 2017 maize is nearing completion, while that of rice just started and will continue until mid-August. Remote sensing data indicates favourable rainfall since early February, which benefited planting operations and early crop development for the maize crop. Assuming favourable weather for the remainder of the season, the 2017 maize output is forecast by FAO to increase slightly from last year’s good level to 2.3 million tonnes. Mirroring expectations of an expansion in plantings, 2017 paddy production is projected to surpass last year’s record by 2 percent to 5.4 million tonnes, although the outcome of the season will depend on the pattern of the monsoon rains.