FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.41

MALAWI

CURRENT SITUATION

Dry weather in the last two dekads of November in most areas, except the northern highlands, is delaying planting of the 2003 cereal crops, normally scheduled from the second half of October and resulted in poor germination of seeds. The Government has targeted 3 million households for the free distribution of agricultural inputs, mainly fertilizers, which is progressing well.

The food supply situation remains tight following two consecutive poor cereal harvests. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in April-May 2002 estimated the cereal deficit at 433 000 tonnes.

Against WFP's food aid appeal of 171 000 tonnes of cereals for Malawi in the Southern Africa Regional Emergency Operation, the level of pledges by late October were adequate and 83 000 tonnes have already been received in the country. WFP stepped up its distribution in October, reaching approximately 2.3 million beneficiaries. This figure represents more than a 100 percent increase from September. Against commercial imports of maize, estimated by an FAO/WFP Mission in April-May at 225 000 tonnes, the Government has made arrangements to import 250 000 tonnes of maize, including replenishment of the Food Security Reserve. By late November, 194 000 tonnes had arrived in the country. Cross-border imports from Mozambique and Tanzania, estimated at 50 000-60 000 tonnes of maize, have also contributed to improve supplies. Prices of maize, which have declined from their peak in March, had started to increase from August but by early October they remained generally below their levels of last year.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2002/03 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)