Africa's gain in agricultural output in 1971 surpassed the long-term average increase of 3 percent, while West Asia's total agricultural production gained h percent, equaling its long-term average. Africa experienced a rise of 3 percent in per capita food production while West Asia's remained unchanged from 1970. This report reviews the recent agricultural year, gives the early-season outlook for 1972 production and trade of selected commodities and countries, reviews country trade in farm products, and cites 1971 U.S. agricultural trade.