MALAWI (2 June)
A reasonably good harvest in 2003, high levels of maize carry-over stocks and currently low market prices for maize, all point to a better cereal supply position in Malawi during the 2003/04 marketing year than was the case in the past two years.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission that visited Malawi from 6 to 26 April 2003, estimated production of the main staple maize at 1 900 350 tonnes, 22 percent higher than the reduced crop of last year. Better rainfall this year and increased use of improved maize seed and fertilizers largely account for this increase. Overall, cereal availability in the 2003/04 marketing year (April/March) is estimated at 2.3 million tonnes against an expected utilization requirement of 2.4 million tonnes. Unrecorded, but substantial amounts of informal maize and rice imports continue to enter Malawi from its neighbors because of the relatively higher cereal prices generally prevailing in the country. These imports, together with substantial stocks in the hands of the Government and production of other crops, should ensure an adequate food supply and obviate the need for formal cereal imports in the 2003/04 marketing year, apart from the usual wheat imports. At the time of the Mission’s visit, the market price of maize was below the Government selling price of 17 Malawi Kwacha (MK) per kg. Malawi's production of roots and tubers is estimated to have increased substantially above the level achieved in the previous year. These commodities are becoming important contributors to overall household food security.
While overall food production has increased significantly, several locations have experienced crop failures for the third consecutive year. The Mission estimated that approximately 131 500 people will require food assistance from July 2003 peaking to 400 000 people in January 2004 with a total cereal requirement of 30 600 tonnes. In view of high levels of maize stocks in the country, food aid should be procured locally. Insufficient access to available food by a significant proportion of the population is a key food security concern. In particular, the HIV/AIDS infected, the destitute, and households which experienced crop failure will need assistance.