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. Persisting conflicts and civil insecurity remain the primary drivers of severe acute food insecurity, with populations in the Gaza Strip (Palestine) and the Sudan facing IPC Phase 5 levels of acute food insecurity, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis. The report also includes FAO‘s first forecast for global wheat production in 2025, which indicates modest year on year growth, largely driven by expected production recoveries in the European Union.