According to current estimates, the Sahel region as a whole registered a grain surplus of 85,000 tons.
With biofuels using grains the rich countries no longer have grain surpluses to get rid of.
In that first year, the village produced a large grain surplus, according to the official history, and output continued to rise.
Due to the rich soils, they were quickly able to produce grain surpluses that were critical to the survival of the lower Louisiana colony.
Supplies available for export appear adequate, given the nation's grain surpluses from previous harvests.
He recognized that needy people were starving just as grain surpluses had driven prices down.
But it was not all bad news: thanks to market liberalisation (and adequate rainfall), in 1987 Mali produced its first grain surplus.
Federal programs helped work off huge grain surpluses, which allowed prices to firm and then rise.
By sharply reducing harvests and the grain surplus, the drought caused prices to rise.
The lack of a modern grain surplus for export may be chiefly due to an increase in local population.