FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 10/00 - TANZANIA (18 September)
Harvesting of the 2000 main season cereal crops is complete. Preliminary estimates put total cereal production (maize, paddy, wheat, sorghum and millet) at about 3.46 million tonnes, nearly 20 percent below the five years average. The decline is attributed mainly to drought in several parts of the country.
However, the overall food supply situation has improved due to large maize imports which have resulted in a marked decline in food prices. Despite reduced pasture, livestock conditions are reported to be good. Cattle prices in July increased by 5 percent and 32 percent compared to June this year and July last respectively.
Food assistance will be required for nearly 1.3 million food insecure people, mainly in the regions of Dodoma, Mara, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga and southern Mwanza, who have suffered their third consecutive poor harvest.