FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/00 - MALI (6 November)
Rains were generally well distributed and regular in June, July, August and September over the main producing areas. Pastures are generally abundant. Grain-eating birds were reported in the rice producing areas along the Niger river and treatments have been undertaken. Grasshopper attacks were also reported locally. Desert Locusts were seen in western Adrar des Iforas mainly between Tessalit and the Algerian frontier during September and in western Adrar des Iforas in early October. Several swarms could start to form and, as conditions are beginning to dry out, they may move north into southern Algeria or north-west into northern Mauritania.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in late October estimated the 2000 cereal production at 2 386 300 tonnes. This is 17.5 percent below last year�s record (2 893 600 tonnes) but remains very close to the last five years average. Following two successive bumper crops in 1998 and 1999, farmers stocks have been well replenished. They were estimated by the statistical services at 520 000 tonnes. The national security stock is also at its recommended level of 35 000 tonnes (plus 25 000 potential tonnes with the Sfinancial" security stock). With traders and other organisations stocks, there was a stock of more than 3 months of consumption needs before this year�s harvest. Therefore, the overall food situation is satisfactory. However, some areas may be at risk of food shortages following poor harvests, notably in Mopti, Gao, Kidal, Tombouctou et northern S�gou regions. Prices of cereals are likely to increase in these areas due to lower production and stronger demand from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger which gathered lower crops than in 1999.
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