FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - ZIMBABWE (4 February)
The food supply situation is extremely tight following a 28 percent decline in the 2001 maize production and financial constraints on imports. The decrease in production mainly reflected a 54 percent reduction in the area planted on the large-scale commercial farms, due to disruption by land acquisitions activities. Serious food difficulties have been reported for households in southern, eastern and extreme northern parts, where the harvest was reduced by dry weather or excessive rains. The Government has appealed for international food assistance. WFP has appealed for 94 000 tonnes of cereals to assist 558 000 vulnerable people mostly in the rural areas but also in urban centres, for a period of 12 months. Distribution of 5 200 tonnes of maize started in late November, with WFP using its own resources as pledges by donors had not yet been made. Prices of food staples and fuel, which increased sharply at the beginning of the 2001/02 marketing year last April, continue to rise, reflecting decreasing stocks and general price inflation. The Government has instituted price controls on basic foods, including bread, maize meal, wheat flour, meat, sugar and cooking oil, but this has resulted in shortages of the commodities on the open markets. It has also announced its intention to import a minimum of 150 000 tonnes of maize from South Africa but by late January very reduced quantities had arrived in the country.
The wheat crop, harvested in November 2001, is estimated at 300 000 tonnes, 20 percent higher than the 2000 poor harvest, mainly reflecting an increase in the area planted.
Prospects for the 2002 maize crop are uncertain. Abundant rains in November and December were followed by a prolonged dry spell in January. More rains are needed in the coming weeks. Shortages of agricultural inputs, mainly fertilizers, are also likely to adversely affect yields this year.