Data are obtained from official and non-official sources. For cereals, production data refer to the calendar year in which the whole harvest or bulk of harvest takes place. For vegetable oils and oil meals derived from oilseeds, production data refer to the year in which the bulk of the seeds concerned are crushed. Trade data for rice and other commodities refer to calendar year.
Coarse grains refer to all other cereals except wheat and rice.
Quantities are in metric tons unless otherwise stated. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Food Outlook is issued by FAO under the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture. It gives a concise analysis of information affecting the situation and outlook for basic foodstuffs. This month's issues is based on information available up to 22 October 1999.