The triannual Crop Prospects and Food Situation report provides a forward-looking global analysis of cereal production, market trends and food security conditions, with a particular attention on low-income food-deficit countries. FAO assesses that 45 countries, including 33 in Africa, nine in Asia, two in Latin America and the Caribbean, and one in Europe, are in need of external assistance for food. Conflicts and insecurity continue to be the primary drivers of high levels of acute food insecurity, with populations in the Gaza Strip, Haiti, Mali and the Sudan facing Phase 5 (Catastrophe) levels in 2024, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis. The report includes the global cereal production forecast for 2024 that is marginally down from the previous year, though still the second largest output on record.