FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/00 - LESOTHO (6 November)
Harvesting of the 2000 wheat crop has started. Latest forecast point to a crop of 21 000 tonnes, substantially above the poor output of last year but still below average due to reduced plantings.
Above-average rains in the third dekad of October, following dry weather in previous weeks, improved soil moisture for planting of the 2001 coarse grains and benefited early sowed crops.
As a result of unfavourable weather, the 2000 coarse grain production declined 18 percent to a below-average level of 127 000 tonnes. Cereal import requirements in marketing year 2001 (April/March) are estimated at 190 000 tonnes of maize and 55 000 tonnes of wheat. The bulk of these imports is anticipated to be covered commercially
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