FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 01/00 - MAURITANIA (4 February)
Prospects for off-season and recession crops are excellent (anticipated to be the best in 30-40 years in many areas). Abundant precipitation during the rainy season filled dams and much larger areas can be sown with recession (walo) or “bas-fonds” crops. Pest attacks are also limited. However, the high level reached by the Sénégal river caused substantial flooding in Brakna, Gorgol and Trarza, in the Sénégal river basin and reduced irrigated rice production.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in October estimated aggregate cereal production in 1999/2000 at 250 900 tonnes (with rice in paddy equivalent) which is 28 percent above the 1998/99 production and well above average. Desert Locusts have been reported in Dakhlet Nouadhibou, in northern Trarza and Tiris Zemmour. Breeding of sparse populations will continue in the extreme north-west but the development will be slowed down by low temperatures.
The food situation improved in rural areas following a good harvest, except in the flooded areas. Food distributions are underway for the affected populations. Markets are well supplied and prices of cereals declined substantially following harvest. By contrast, prices of imported food rose in December in Nouakchott.
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