FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - LIBERIA* (3 September)
Abundant rainfall during the whole growing season resulted in good development of the rice crop, which is about to be harvested. But severe seed shortages were reported in many rural areas and will have limited production. The 1998 cereal output is expected to be close to last year’s level.
Food supply in the urban market is stable but prices remain very high and only an extremely low proportion of the population has sufficient income to buy enough rice, the staple food. Food assistance is being provided throughout almost the entire country and an improvement in the nutritional status of the population is reported. Food assistance is also provided to about 1 717 000 IDPs and refugees from Sierra Leone. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December), is currently estimated at 240 000 tonnes, including 130 000 tonnes of food aid.
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