Iran 12th in world in wheat production - Gayo Lues

According to the latest FAO report, “Crop Prospects and Food Situation,” Iran’s wheat production witnessed a one-million ton decline from 15 million tons in 2010.

The report added that Iran’s rice production in 2011 was 2.4 million tons, which increased from a total of 2.3 million tons in the previous year.

The United Nations body also noted that the global wheat production is estimated to be the second highest ever at 690 million tons in 2012.

The report added that adverse weather conditions have led to food insecurity in many regions, despite the predicted increase in global wheat production.

FAO also announced that international food prices rose by one percent in February 2012, the second increase in two months mainly due to higher prices of sugar, oils and cereals while dairy prices fell slightly after a marked rise in January 2012.

Among the major producers of wheat, the European Union (EU) with 138 million tons and China with 117.9 million tons are set to be the top two producers of wheat this year.

India with an estimated wheat production of 86.9 million tons and the US with 54.4 million tons took the third and fourth spots on the list of the leading wheat producers of 2011.

The Food and Agriculture Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger, raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.

TNP/HGH