ROME, Feb 13: Global cereal production is to drop in 2009 even though food prices are rising in poor countries, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

“Early indications point to a reduction in global cereal output in 2009 from the 2008 record,” the FAO said in a statement on Friday, without giving figures.

“The outlook is for a smaller maize crop in southern Africa. Prolonged dry weather is adversely affecting wheat prospects in Asia, with almost half of China’s winter wheat area suffering from severe drought,” the statement added.

The FAO also said “domestic food prices remain very high in several developing countries”.

The UN agency singled out Southern Africa and Central America as being worst hit by rising prices, while the cost of imported rice and wheat remained high in poor Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The FAO said food shortages persisted in 32 countries worldwide, notably in East Africa where more than 18 million people suffered from unstable food supplies.

Global cereal production hit record levels in 2008 with 2.24 billion tonnes, an increase of 5.4 per cent compared to 2007.—AFP