Please refer to the attached file.
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Cereal production forecast at slightly above‑average level in 2026
- Cereal import requirements forecast at above‑average level in 2026/27 marketing year (July/June)
Cereal production forecast at slightly above‑average level in 2026
Harvesting of the 2026 maize crop is ongoing and is expected to finalize in September, while the 2026 paddy crop is currently at the tillering to early reproductive stages of development, with harvesting anticipated to start in October. The area planted to both maize and paddy crops is estimated to be close to the five‑year average. Yields of both crops are forecast at above average level, reflecting generally favourable weather conditions during most of the cropping season and adequate availability of fertilizers. Localized maize crop losses occurred in some southern, western and eastern parts of the country due to dry weather conditions in March and early April. In addition, a hailstorm in the south‑central district of Tsirang in late April 2026 caused damage to maize, vegetables and other cash crops, particularly chilli. Heavy monsoon rains between late June and August 2026 triggered localized floods and landslides, particularly in southern and eastern parts of the country, resulting in some losses to the paddy crop in low‑lying areas. In addition, losses of livestock and food stocks as well as damage to housing and infrastructures, including roads, bridges and schools, were reported in flood‑affected areas. Overall, aggregate cereal production in 2026 is forecast at 77 000 tonnes, about 5 percent above the average.
Cereal import requirements forecast at above‑average level in 2026/27 marketing year
The country relies heavily on cereal imports, mostly from India, as domestic production covers only about two‑thirds of national consumption requirements. Cereal imports consist mostly of rice and small quantities of maize and wheat. In the 2026/27 marketing year (July/June), total cereal import requirements are forecast at 160 000 tonnes, about 15 percent above the average, reflecting continued growth in cereal consumption and declining cereal production areas and domestic output, amid strong economic activity and the recovery in tourism.
Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
This brief was prepared using the following data/tools:
FAO/GIEWS Country Cereal Balance Sheet (CCBS) https://www.fao.org/giews/data-tools/en/ .
FAO/GIEWS Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Tool https://fpma.fao.org/ .
FAO/GIEWS Earth Observation for Crop Monitoring https://www.fao.org/giews/earthobservation/ .
Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) https://www.ipcinfo.org/ .