Page 4 - AWA Vol.41-No.5. 1

Global Output Of Key Food Commodity

Crops On Course For New Records

FAO’s latest assessments indicate a relatively optimis- duction, anticipating a 0.9 percent annual increase to
tic outlook for global food commodity markets, with reach a new record high of 551.5 million tonnes, due
production anticipated to increase across all commodi- mostly to anticipated production increases in Asia.
ties, except sugar. International rice trade is forecast to expand by 1.4
percent in 2025 to reach a record high of 60.5 million
Regarding core agricultural commodities, world out-
put of rice, maize, sorghum and oilseeds are expected tonnes, fuelled by strong demand from Africa and ris-
to reach new record levels, according to the FAO Food ing exports from India and South America. Global per
Outlook, which also noted that global food production capita food consumption of rice, the most important
remains vulnerable to adverse weather conditions as grain for human diets, is expected to increase globally,
well as ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade policy un- with a particularly robust 2 percent increase in Low-In-
certainties, and economic conditions. come Food Deficit Countries.
“While agricultural production trends appear solid, FAO also released it first forecast for world rice produc-
drivers that could negatively impact global food secu- tion, anticipating a 0.9 percent annual increase to reach
rity are increasing,” said FAO Chief Economist Maximo a new record high of 551.5 million tonnes, due mostly to
Torero. anticipated production increases in Asia. International
rice trade is forecast to expand by 1.4 percent in 2025
The late biannual publication provides market assess- to reach a record high of 60.5 million tonnes, fuelled
ments and updated forecasts for the production, trade, by strong demand from Africa and rising exports from
utilization and stocks of major food commodities, in- India and South America. Global per capita food con-
cluding wheat, coarse grains, rice, oilcrops, sugar, meat, sumption of rice, the most important grain for human di-
dairy products, and fisheries. It also estimates the glob- ets, is expected to increase globally, with a particularly
al food import bill and includes special thematic chap- robust 2 percent increase in Low-Income Food Deficit
ters addressing the impact of avian influenza, changing Countries.
trade patterns since 2022, potential incentives for fish
fraud in global agrifood systems, and the implications The Food Outlook also presents FAO’s updated figure
of decarbonizing the maritime sector for food imports. for the global food import bill (FIB) in 2024, which is es-
timated to have risen by 3.6 percent from the previous
• Global wheat production is forecast to increase mod- year to nearly USD 2.1 trillion. This increase was primar-
estly in the coming year, while per capita food consump- ily driven by a 29.3 surge in import costs for coffee, tea,
tion declines. Output gains are anticipated to be largely cocoa and spices, an 8.1 percent increase in the import
driven by a 13 percent increase in the European Union bill for fruits and vegetables, and 5.6 percent rise in that
owing to a weather-driven upturn in yields, as well as a for meat products. By contrast, the import bill for other
potential all-time record harvest in India driven by in- food commodity groups declined, including a 4.6 per-
creased planting areas. cent decrease for cereals.
• bCoarse grain production is expected to increase by In 2025, trade tensions and policy uncertainty will
3.4 percent to a record level, buoyed by solid prospects likely affect the global food import bill by influencing
in Brazil, the European Union and especially the United import volumes and prices, especially for sensitive
States of America, which is forecast to boost maize out- products like tropical beverages and animal goods. The
put by 6.0 percent mostly due to an expansion in sow- impact will vary by country and commodity, depending
ings. More favorable weather ought to lift maize produc- on factors like import dependency and availability of
tion in Southern Africa as well.
alternatives. Adverse weather events and supply chain
• FAO also released it first forecast for world rice pro- disruptions may further drive up import costs.

In The Next Issue

Main Features
Dairy Farming
Feeds and feeding systems
Milking equipment/Packaging and marketing Advertise
Irrigation in the
Pipes, pumps and equipment Next issue
Power roll, sprinkler and drip irrigation
Waste water treatment and desalination projects & promote your
Fisheries and Fish Farming products !
Breeding of fish / Fish feeds and fisheries equipment
Bees and Beekeeping
Treatments for pests or diseases / Beekeeping equipments

2 Vol. 41 No. 5