MOZAMBIQUE (18 September)
The 2003 production of cereals was estimated at 1.8 million tonnes, an increase of some 3 percent over last year's above-average crop. The increase is attributed to better crops in the northern and central provinces, while in the southern provinces the harvest was reduced by severe drought.
Following several years of steady increases in food production, the overall food supply position is satisfactory. Maize prices in the central and northern regions have shown seasonal increases in the past month, but are below their levels of a year ago, reflecting the good 2003 harvest and fewer exports to Malawi. By contrast, in southern areas prices remain high and are above last year’s level.
Nonetheless, a large number of people still requires food assistance in the southern provinces. A recent survey of the Vulnerability Assessment Committee estimated that 659 000 people in 40 districts were in need of food aid, as they will not have sufficient food available from their own production and will lack the means to access food commercially. This is lower than the estimates of 949 000 people made by the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment in May 2003. WFP is distributing food aid in drought-affected areas, but shortfalls in the food-aid pipeline of maize are anticipated beginning in October. Additional donors’ contributions are urgently needed.