At the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, a joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) took place in June and July 2022 to analyse the country’s agricultural production in 2022, particularly of the main staple cereals, and to assess households’ food security conditions. The request was prompted by expectations of a well below agricultural output in 2022, owing to the effects of the severe macroeconomic crisis, which also pushed up food prices to record or near-record levels. This caused a significant worsening of households’ food security. The mission analysed official data of cereal production for the 2021/22 main “Maha” crops, harvested by March 2022, forecasted the production of the 2022 “Yala” crops, to be harvested by September 2022, and estimated the cereal import requirements for the 2022 marketing year (January/December). The mission assessed market conditions and households’ food security and nutrition situation. Based on the factors that have constrained food availability and access, the report provides recommendations for urgent actions of food and livelihood assistance in order to avert a further deterioration of the food security situation in the country
