ROME, Oct 18: The global outlook for 2001-2002 cereal and rice production is well below expected levels because of persistent drought in some important crop producing countries, according to a new UN Food Agency report.

The shortfall could lead decline in worldwide stocks, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization said, given that the world cereal trade in 2001-2002 looks to be virtually unchanged from the previous season’s 230 million tons.

Around 62 million people worldwide face varying degrees of food emergencies, from malnutrition to famine, according to FAO estimates made in September.

China, India and Pakistan are among the countries worst effected by this year’s poor cereal harvests. Cereal production in 2001 is now forecast at 1.84 billion tons, about 0.7 per cent below the estimate for 2000.

Output of wheat is forecast at 565 million tons, 3.4 per cent down from the previous year, while that of coarse grains is now put at 885 million tons, 1.4 per cent up over last year’s level.

The global rice crop is forecast at 392 million tons, 1.5 per cent down from 2000.

International export prices for most cereals showed some recovery since the previous report in June, says the FAO.

However, the economic and the political uncertainty triggered by the tragic events of September 11 in the United States has put some prices under downward pressure again in recent weeks.—AFP