Above-average precipitation in the first dekad of August in lowland areas, affected earlier by insufficient rains in July, improved prospects for 1996 coarse grains. Despite abundant rains at the beginning of the season, preliminary estimates indicate a decline in the area planted from the previous year. However, providing favourable weather continues during the remainder of the growing season, output could increase above last year’s poor crop.
The price of grains, which has remained stable since the beginning of the year, increased during June/July. This reflects shortages of supplies following last year’s reduced cereal harvest and the closure of the Eritrea-Sudan border. Increasing commercial imports of maize, teff, and sorghum are reported to have entered the country in the past month. However, the food situation of vulnerable groups is anticipated to deteriorate in the months ahead to the next harvest from November. Against food aid requirements of 191 000 tons in 1996, deliveries by the end of July amounted to only 33 000 tons.