FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - MADAGASCAR (6 September)

Harvesting of the 2001 cereal crop is completed. Growing conditions were generally favourable and locusts had no significant impact on production. For the main paddy crop, production forecast point to an about average harvest, higher than that of last year adversely affected by a series of hurricanes. Production of maize and other cereals is also forecast to recover from the reduced level of 2000.

The overall food supply situation in the country in the 2001/02 marketing year (April/March) is expected to remain relatively stable, including in the drought- prone southern areas. Prices of food staples, including rice, maize, cassava and Irish potato, declined in July in southern areas and the number of people in need of some food assistance has declined to 117 150. Food aid requirements for these areas are estimated at 3 163 tonnes of maize.