An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission which visited Mozambique in April/May, estimated the 1998 production of cereals at 1.69 million tonnes, up by about 10 percent on last year’s good crop. The increase is attributable to both increased area planted and harvested and increased yields for all cereals, particularly in the northern and central provinces. Production of cassava, groundnuts and beans is also expected to increase significantly in 1998 compared to last year.
The overall food supply situation, which improved in the last marketing year, is expected to improve further in 1998/99, reflecting the increased food production. An exportable surplus of 59 000 tonnes of maize is forecast, but import requirements of 67 000 tonnes and 145 000 tonnes are expected for rice and wheat, respectively, expected to be met largely by private sector imports. Localized food shortages exist in several areas as a result of crop loss caused mainly by floods, requiring emergency food aid for the affected people until the second season harvest next September. Food deficits are also faced by some families in the dry south, for which donor assistance will be necessary to mobilize surplus food for people in these areas.