To those who have least, less is given.
That seems to be the pattern, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s June survey of the world’s food situation.
It predicts good harvests and increased production in the modern world’s consistent bread baskets – North America, Western Europe and Australia.
In Australia, there could be “a sharp increase” in coarse grain production. The FAO prediction is the same for the United States and Canada. And in the European Union “prospects remain favorable for cereal production.”
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However, many other parts of the world are not expected to do so well.
That means some stronger demand for grain trade this year.
Tired of donating
But mainly, it means another year of increasing demands on the world’s capacity and willingness to move millions of tonnes of food as aid. World Food Program officials have warned of growing “donor fatigue” and a recent United Nations appeal for donations to a fund for drought-damaged Mongolia drew a fraction of the estimated need.
Yet the need grows, according to the FAO survey.
Drought has hit some countries of Eastern Europe and territory in the former Soviet Union.
The UN agency names scores of countries facing poor harvests and they usually are areas already suffering the ravages of war or long-term weather problems.
The African nations of Algeria, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Eritrea face severe food shortages. Droughts have also hit Uruguay, Paraguay, parts of Mexico, Iran, India and Pakistan. Afghanistan also faces a looming crisis.
Even Russia and Ukraine must continue to look to imports this year to feed their people. The FAO estimates Ukraine will have to import more than three million tonnes because of reduced harvests. Russia may have to import up to eight million tonnes of cereals.
