AKIPRESS.COM - Favorable worldwide conditions for cereal crops will lead to better-than-expected production this growing season at the global level, despite continuing apprehension over El Niño, said FAO on Thursday.

According to the latest release of the monthly FAO Food Price Index (FPI) and the new edition of the quarterly Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, both issued today, world cereal production this year should amount to 2.527 million tonnes.

That represents a 1.1 percent decline from the record level in 2014, but an improvement from projections made last month.

Some 34 countries worldwide, including 28 in Africa - many hosting large numbers of refugees - are in need of external assistance for food, it says.