FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - NIGER (3 June)
First rains were registered in the south in mid-May where they permitted land preparation and first early plantings. However, the weather was mostly dry in early June. It is estimated that only 2 percent of the villages had planted as of 29 May, instead of 27 percent last year. Seed availability is generally adequate following the 2001 above average harvest. No significant pest activity has been reported.
The final official aggregate 2001 cereal production is estimated at 3.11 million tonnes, 49 percent higher than the poor crop in the previous year and about one-third more than average. Most of the increase came from millet which rose by 0.75 million tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes.
Following this good harvest, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. However, an untimely sharp rise in cereal prices on all markets across the country has been reported, which makes access to food difficult. The above-normal cereal prices are mainly due to activities of speculators and outflows to Nigeria.
Cereal import requirement in 2001/02 (November/October) is estimated at some 345 000 tonnes, almost half actual imports in the previous year.