SWAZILAND (30 May)
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited the country from 1 to 10 May 2003. The Mission estimated production of the main maize crop at about 73 000 tonnes, 6 percent above last year but 30 percent below the average of the last five years. This reflects an increase in the area planted of 19 percent over last year, mainly in response to higher prices, and lower yields. Yields were adversely affected by a late start of the rainy season and a sharp drop in rainfall in January, coupled with a heat wave in the middle of the month. This coincided with the critical flowering stage for later planted maize crops in the Lowveld, Lubombo Plateau and dry Middleveld, where production is reduced. Overall, domestic cereal supply in 2003/04 is estimated at 78 100 tonnes, while total national consumption requirement is estimated at 205 800 tonnes, resulting in an import requirement of 127 700 tonnes. Commercial imports are forecast at 103 400 tonnes and food aid at 24 300 tonnes that is to be covered by current Government and WFP stocks and pipeline. Cereal prices have declined due to relatively better domestic production and a good maize harvest in South Africa. While a combination of better though below average domestic cereal production and improved commercial import capacity suggests that there will be no cereal shortages at the national level, economic access to food for certain segments of the population remains very difficult. Swaziland is undergoing a serious socio-economic crisis due to the continuing spread of HIV/AIDS that is further exacerbating the already severe impact of high unemployment, income inequality and poverty. The Mission estimates that 132 250 people require food assistance immediately, increasing to 157 750 for 6 months (July-December), and increasing further to 217 000 during the lean period (January-March). The total amount of food aid required will be about 24 300 tonnes, which is fully met by the current Government and WFP stocks and pipeline.