Rainfall in most parts of the country benefited crops and harvest prospects are good. Overall, the 1998 crop is anticipated to be comparable to last year’s average level but could be higher if conditions continue to be favourable in southern areas. Localized areas of concern are in the north where excessive rains resulted in flooding with loss of crops, property and lives. Reflecting the good harvest outlook and the arrival of food crops on markets, prices of maize have decreased significantly during the past few weeks.