Spring crop planting has been completed under mostly favourable conditions. Heavy snowfalls in late winter enhanced moisture reserves for crop development but may also have damaged winter grains. The area sown to winter grains (mainly wheat and barley) for harvest in the summer of 1997 increased by 16 percent to 105 000 hectares in response to better prices following liberalization of cereal trade. Indications are that the spring crop area could also rise. Provided weather conditions remain favourable until harvest, 1997 output could exceed the output of 340 000 tons in 1996.
Against the 1996/97 cereal import requirement of 310 000 tons, some 110 000 tons are being provided on concessional terms and the balance will be imported commercially. The counterpart funds from the market sale of wheat through concessional imports will be put into a fund to finance future commercial imports of wheat.
With the onset of spring, the availability of basic foods will increase and dependence on bread decline. Overall the food supply situation is satisfactory but prices are high compared to average earnings. Unemployment remains widespread and considerable numbers of economically vulnerable people continue to need targeted relief assistance. WFP is targeting 220 000 vulnerable persons, including refugees and IDPs, with supplementary rations of basic food commodities as part of the on-going relief aid and Food-For-Work programme. Requirements to the end of the year are 12 000 tons and the uncovered balance stands at 6 000 tons, valued at approximately U.S.$ 3.8 million. As the pipeline for relief food is only secure until mid-September, donors are urgently requested for additional support.