THE GAMBIA (10 May)
The aggregate 2003 cereal production has been estimated at a record 213 338 tonnes, an increase of some 53 percent over the previous year’s poor crop and markedly above the average for the preceding five years. Output of groundnut, the main source of cash income for rural households, was estimated to have increased 30 percent to about 93 000 tonnes.
Domestic cereal production in The Gambia covers less than half of the country’s utilisation requirement in a normal year and food prices are strongly affected by the exchange rate of the Dalasis. The country experienced sharp increases in prices in 2003 due a 43 percent depreciation of the Dalasis against the US dollar in the 12 months to September 2003. Since then the currency has stabilized and the rate of decline is forecast to be moderate in 2004.
Reflecting the good harvest, the increase in producer price of groundnut and the relatively stable exchange rate, the food situation this year is expected to be satisfactory. However, in districts affected by floods and grasshopper infestations, a number of households may experience food difficulties during the year.