World Grain Output Drops for Second Year
The world’s grain production will drop for a second consecutive year for the first time in 40 years, mainly because of the drought in the United States, the Food and Agriculture Organization reported Thursday.
The Rome-based agency, a United Nations affiliate, predicted that the 1988-89 crop would be 1.77 billion metric tons, 24 million tons less than last year and 13 million tons less than the FAO forecast in July. As a result, world stocks would fall to 80 million tons, it said.
Rice output, while also affected by the drought, was expected to rise 5% to 484 million tons.
The decline was mostly in coarse grain, production of which was expected to reach 772 million tons, against 819 million tons last year.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
