Global cereal production in 2023 could reach a record 2.819 billion tonnes, up 1.1 percent from 2022, according to a June FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) survey.
Last month’s forecast was raised by 5.9 million tons. “The adjustment is almost entirely due to an improvement in the global wheat crop outlook. At the same time, despite the fact that the forecast of its harvest was raised by 0.9%, to 783.3 million tons, it is still 18.4 million tons below the record level of 2022,” – said in the review.
In particular, harvest estimates in the EU, Canada, Kazakhstan and Turkey were raised. “Expected production gains in these countries more than offset a significant reduction in the production forecast in Australia, where unusually dry weather conditions have led to lower crop views,” the review said.
The forage grain harvest forecast was “slightly lowered” to 1.512 billion tons. But that’s still 2.9% higher than 2022.
“The decrease is due to a downward revision in corn harvest forecasts in East Africa. That said, the improvement in the global barley production forecast is largely due to an adjustment in official estimates for Turkey, where the crop is expected to be higher than originally projected. However, it did not fully compensate for the drop in corn production,” the survey said.
The rice production forecast is “slightly adjusted upward” to 523.7 million tons due to improved crop views in Bangladesh and other countries along and south of the equator. Last year’s revised figures put the crop at 517.6 million tons.
