FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - July 2003 p.4

PART I: POSITION BY SUB-REGION

• SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA’S CROP CALENDAR
• UPDATE ON FOOD AID PLEDGES AND DELIVERIES

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA’S CROP CALENDAR

The crop calendar of sub-Saharan Africa is indicated below. The harvesting of the 2002/03 coarse grain crops is virtually complete in southern Africa. In most of eastern Africa, the main season crops are either being harvested or are in the ground. Coarse grain crops are maturing in parts of the coastal countries of western Africa and are at flowering or grain formation stages in parts of central Africa. In the Sahelian countries of western Africa main season cereal crops have recently been planted.

Cereal Crop Calendar

In southern Africa, the 2003 cereal production is forecast to increase by 6.6 percent over last year’s average level to 21.6 million tonnes. A decline in South Africa, the largest producer, has been more than offset by a recovery in other countries. Cereal import requirements for 2003/04 have declined substantially relative to last year, and cereal surpluses in South Africa and trade among other countries will largely meet these requirements. Nevertheless, substantial amounts of emergency food aid are still required.

In Zimbabwe, although cereal output increased by 41 percent over the poor level of last year, it was 51 percent below the 2000/01 harvest, which was itself significantly below average. The impact of a severe drought during the growing season was compounded by the prevailing social, economic and political problems. The large-scale farm sector produced only one-tenth of its 1990s output.

The country faces a shortfall of close to 1.3 million tonnes of cereals. The Government controlled price of maize meal was raised almost four-fold in late May. This will greatly limit access to food for the most vulnerable population groups. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in May 2003 estimated that 4.4 million people in rural areas and 1.1 million in urban areas will require food assistance in 2003/04 amounting to 610 000 tonnes of maize.

In Mozambique, an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in May 2003 estimated the 2003 cereal production at 1.8 million tonnes, some 3 percent above the good harvest of last year.

However, in southern and some of central provinces prolonged dry spells and high temperatures caused almost total failure of the main maize crop. As a result some 949 000 people face acute food shortages and will need 156 000 tonnes of emergency food assistance in marketing year 2003/04. The affected population represents 30 percent of the total population in the relevant districts but only 5 percent of the country’s total population. A part of the food assistance could be procured locally in view of a maize surplus in northern and central areas but, because of high internal transport cost to southern parts, large amounts will need to be imported. Prices of maize that started to decline in northern and central markets in February stabilized at around last year’s levels in June.

In Zambia,the 2003 cereal production was double the reduced harvest of last year and above average. Output of maize was estimated by an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in May 2003 at 1.16 million tonnes. The increase reflects favourable weather and subsidized inputs.

Maize prices have stabilized at levels well below their levels a year ago. This has generally improved access to food for the vulnerable populations. However, people in pockets where the harvest was poor will require targeted food assistance in 2003/04. The Government plans to increase its food reserve through local purchases and outstanding imports contracted in the last marketing year.

In Malawi, the overall food supply is satisfactory following a substantial increase in cereal production in 2003 and unprecedented levels of maize carry-over stocks. Market prices of maize have declined since March and are now lower than at the same time last year and below the Government’s fixed price of 17 Kwacha/kg.

However, an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in April 2003 estimated that 400 000 people will need food assistance in marketing year 2003/04 (April/March), including those in areas that experienced crop failures and those seriously affected by HIV/AIDS. Emergency food aid needs amount to 30 600 tonnes of cereals. In view of the high levels of maize stocks in the country, the Mission recommended that aid should be procured locally.

In Lesotho, an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in April 2003 estimated the 2003 cereal output at 89 000 tonnes, an increase of 65 percent over the previous year. However, at that level production remained below average. Cereal import requirements were calculated at 321 000 tonnes, most of it to be covered on commercial basis.

The Mission also estimated that 32 000 tonnes of emergency cereal food aid will be needed for 270 000 people affected by localized crop failure and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

In Swaziland, the maize crop was estimated by an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in April 2003 at 73 000 tonnes, 4 percent above the poor crop of last year but still 27 percent below the average of the last five years. The harvest was poorest in the Lowveld which had been affected by dry weather during the growing season.

Although at the national level no cereal shortages are foreseen in 2003/04 due to improved commercial import capacity and lower prices in South Africa, the Mission estimates that 217 000 people would face food shortages and would need food assistance estimated at 24 000 tonnes of cereals.

In Angola, anFAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in May 2003 estimated that the 2003 cereal output increased by 23 percent over last year to 670 000 tonnes. This was the result of abundant and well distributed rains during the season, an increase in the area planted following the return of the internally displaced and refugees to their home areas and substantial distribution of agricultural inputs.

However, the number of people in need of food assistance in 2003/04 remains high at 1.4 million. This includes a large proportion of returning IDPs and refugees, and the ex-UNITA soldiers and their families. Total food aid requirements are estimated at 219 000 tonnes of cereals and 17 800 tonnes of pulses. WFP plans to assist 1.02 million people.

In Madagascar, a severe drought in the southern provinces reduced foodcrops in 2003, mainly maize. Official estimates indicate that 600 000 persons are in need of food aid as a result. Coping mechanisms are being exhausted and current reports indicate an increase in the number of severely malnourished children. However, food aid distributions by WFP had to be suspended in May due to lack of resources. There is urgent need for additional food aid contributions to avoid a deterioration of the nutritional situation during the lean season from September.

In eastern Africa, harvesting of the 2003 main season cereal crops is about to start in southern parts of the sub-region while in northern parts crops are at varying stages of development. Heavy rains and floods earlier in the year in parts of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia killed a number of people, displaced thousands, destroyed or damaged crops and increased the likelihood of serious localised food shortages.

In Eritrea, the 2003 main cropping season, “Kiremti”, has started. The smaller spring (azmera) rains from March to May were generally inadequate. These short rains are beneficial for early land preparation and regeneration of pasture.

Serious food shortages persist with as many as two-thirds of the country’s population severely affected due to last year’s drought. Of these, an estimated 1.4 million need emergency food assistance. In addition, humanitarian assistance continues to be needed for large numbers of people internally displaced by the recent war with neighbouring Ethiopia, returning refugees from Sudan, and children benefiting from WFP’s Emergency School Feeding Programme. The slow response to the Government’s appeals for 476 000 tonnes of emergency food assistance remains a major concern to both the Government and humanitarian agencies. More food aid pledges and faster delivery are needed to mitigate the serious food shortages. FAO and WFP jointly approved in March 2003 an Emergency Operation (EMOP) worth US$ 46.5 million to assist about 900 000 people for a period of ten months (May 2003 – February 2004).

In Ethiopia, the main “meher” cropping season has started in almost all parts of the country. Harvesting of the 2003 short "belg" season crops has also started in the central highlands. Normally, the belg season crops are harvested from June to August and the crop accounts for some 10 percent of total grain production but in some areas it provides the main harvest. Heavy rains earlier in the season caused severe localised flooding that displaced many people and destroyed productive assets and property. People in low lying areas along the Wabi-Shebelle river in Gode zone in Somali Region were the most affected.

Following a review of the food security situation in several key areas, the Government and UN Country Team have revised the number of people in need of food assistance to 12.5 million from an earlier estimate of 11.3 million. An Emergency Operation worth about US$ 205.5 million was jointly approved by FAO and WFP in March 2003 to assist 4.6 million most affected small scale farmers and pastoralists, for a period of twelve months (April 2003 – March 2004).

In Kenya, the long rains maize crop benefited from good rains in April and May. These rains counteracted somewhat the adverse impact on yields of delayed planting due to the late start of the season. Serious flooding, however, caused the displacement of tens of thousands of people and destroyed large cropped areas. The worst affected areas included the low-lying areas near Lake Victoria in western Kenya, where rivers burst their banks and submerged fields, and in Tana River District in the east.

Most pastoral areas also received above average rains in April and May. However, serious food problems remain in these areas, particularly in Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot Districts, where the effects of last year’s drought remain.

In Somalia, early prospects for the main “gu” cereal crops which account for some 70 to 80 percent of annual production in normal years are reported to be mixed following heavy rains and floods on the one hand and localised dry conditions on the other.

The secondary “deyr” season cereal crop, harvested earlier in the year, is estimated at about 164 600 tonnes, nearly 80 percent above the post-war (1995-2001) average. Total cereal production in 2002/03 is therefore estimated at about 376 000 tonnes, about 35 percent above the post-war average. The food supply situation in southern Somalia has generally improved with better “gu” and “deyr” harvests, but nutrition surveys indicate persistently high malnutrition rates. In north-western Somalia (Somaliland) and north-eastern Somalia (Puntland), severe water and food shortages are still being reported despite improved rainfall. The shortages are most acute in the regions of Togdheer, Sool, Sanaag and the Hawd, as well as in several districts of Bari and parts of Nugal Region.

In Sudan, estimates of the recently harvested wheat crop indicate a harvest of 296 000 tonnes, about 3 percent below the previous five years’ average. The 2002/03 total cereal production, estimated at about 3.8 million tonnes, is nearly 30 percent below the previous year’s crop and about 13 percent below the average of the last five years.

Serious food shortages have emerged in several parts of the country and prices, particularly for sorghum, are higher than normal at this time of the year. Food security monitoring assessments conducted since January have confirmed that 1.9 million people in southern Sudan will need food assistance estimated at 101 000 tonnes until the next harvest in September 2003. About 700 000 of these were identified as highly food insecure and have been receiving food aid since January. In April 2003, an Emergency Operation was jointly approved by FAO and WFP worth about US$ 130.97 million, for food assistance to nearly 3.25 million people for a period of twelve months (April 2003 to March 2004).

In Tanzania, preliminary forecasts of the 2002/03 food crop production indicate a 10 percent decline compared to last year mainly due to extended dry weather in eastern, central and southern parts between February and mid-March. Many areas experienced more than three weeks of dry weather at a critical stage in crop development. Improved rainfall from around mid-March may have come too late to prevent significant yield losses. The decline in production is in spite of a reported large increase in cultivated area for most food crops (up by 39 percent over last year) mainly in response to last year’s high prices.

The overall national food supply situation, however, remains stable despite recently observed increases in staple food prices that are unusual for the time of the year. In some areas livestock prices were also reported to be falling despite adequate availability of water and forage. Staple food prices are expected to ease soon as current harvests start to reach markets.

In Uganda, prospects for the 2003 main season cereal crops are uncertain due to below normal rains in February and March that delayed land preparation and planting in several areas. Hailstorm damage was also reported in south-western parts, while a dry spell in the west has affected crops. Livestock in much of the country have adequate access to drinking water and pasture. However, pasture conditions in Karamoja region (Kotido, Moroto and Nakapiripirit Districts) have yet to improve satisfactorily but access to water has improved.

The overall national food supply situation remains stable. However, the food situation is precarious in Karamoja region and is expected to improve only after July when the harvesting season commences. Cereal prices continued to rise during April 2003, averaging Ushs 410 per kilogram of sorghum, about Ushs 100 higher than in March and more than double compared to the long-term average for the month of April. A poor banana crop in central Uganda is also expected to affect household income and food supply. Insurgency continues to displace hundreds of people mainly in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader in northern Uganda, and more recently in Katakwi and Soroti Districts in the east. The IDPs are concentrated in camps with limited access to water, sanitation and health facilities. A recent assessment of Pader District found that nearly three-quarters of the population were displaced. A nutritional survey in the main district hospital found that 14 percent of the children under five years old were acutely malnourished while 29 percent were at risk of acute malnutrition. These results are similar to those found by a separate assessment in Gulu District in January 2003. Furthermore, the food situation of many households in Kotido, Moroto and Nakapiripirit Districts in the northeast is precarious due to poor harvests in the previous season.

In western Africa, the food situation in the western Sahel is improving in countries following last year’s severe drought. However, it remains precarious in Mauritania. In several coastal countries, food production and other economic activities continue to be disrupted by civil strife.

In Mauritania, seasonably dry conditions prevail. Planting will start following the onset of rains in July. Emergency provision of agricultural inputs such as seeds will be necessary to enable drought-affected farming families to resume agricultural production.

The 2002 aggregate cereal production is officially estimated at 116 000 tonnes, about 31 percent less than the average for the previous five years and 5 percent below the 2001 poor harvest. Cereal import requirements for the marketing year 2002/03 (November/October) are estimated at some 323 000 tonnes, of which commercial imports are estimated at 258 000 tonnes, leaving a food aid requirement of 65 000 tonnes. Approximately 420 000 people throughout Mauritania need food assistance. In March 2002, WFP launched an EMOP valued at US$ 7.5 million to assist 250 000 people most threatened by food shortages. A Regional EMOP jointly approved by FAO and WFP in mid-December for five drought-affected countries in the west of the Sahel (Cape Verde, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal) included an allocation of 43 632 tonnes of food for Mauritania. As of late June, 78 percent of this amount was covered by pledges.

Distributions of emergency food aid and subsidized sales of wheat helped improve the food supply situation in Aftout, the Senegal River Valley and the central plateau area of Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi where near-famine conditions and high malnutrition rates and related diseases have been reported. However, lack of pasture is accelerating distress sale of animals and stock movements. Animal prices continue to drop despite implementation of a Government programme of subsidized animal feeds. Small-scale pastoralists and farmers in these areas are considered highly food-insecure population groups.

In Senegal, aggregate cereal production in 2002 is estimated at about 851 300 tonnes, 11 percent less than the previous year and 8 percent less than the average of the previous five years. Groundnut production, the main source of cash income for rural households, was estimated at some 260 700 tonnes, 71 percent below 2001 and 65 percent below average. Following this poor harvest, access to food is very difficult for rural households, notably in groundnut producing areas, although cereal prices which increased sharply last year have decreased somewhat, owing mainly to increased commercial rice imports.

In response to the tight food situation, the Government distributed about 54 000 tonnes of rice to rural households in 2002, and has just launched a new assistance programme including the distribution of 50 000 tonnes of rice and 13 000 tonnes of animal feeds, as well as subsidized sales of maize and groundnuts seeds which are also being distributed under an FAO project. Senegal is a beneficiary of WFP’s Regional EMOP launched in December 2002 for 5 drought-affected countries in the west of the Sahel, with an allocation of 3 000 tonnes of food for 23 300 most affected people.

In Côte d'Ivoire, precipitation was abundant in April, but decreased and remained generally below average in May, which may have affected crop development in the south and planting and emergence of millet and sorghum crops in the north. Agricultural production is not expected to reach its pre-crisis level this year due to mass population displacement and likely seed shortages, following the civil war.

Although the overall security situation is improving, the food situation in the country remains critical, mainly in the rebel-controlled north and west. In the north, access to food is very difficult for cotton farmers who were unable to sell their crop because of the conflict. In the west, which suffers continuing attacks against civilians and population displacement, and where renewed fighting in Liberia has led to a new influx of displaced persons, farm families have limited access to their fields because of insecurity and have few market outlets for their cash crops.

More than 1 million people have been displaced by the conflict. At least 800 000 fled south from the north and centre and about 300 000 have been displaced in the west around the city of Man. Another 200 000, mostly migrant workers from neighbouring Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia and Mali, left the country. WFP has launched a Regional Emergency Operation to assist 588 600 people in Côte d’Ivoire and 275 000 people in neighbouring countries (Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali) for a period of 8 months (May-December 2003). Safe access to IDPs in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in the west, remains a major problem for humanitarian agencies.

In Liberia, persistent armed clashes that restrict access to most agricultural areas and cause mass population displacement are a major cause of food insecurity in the country. The current agricultural season is being disrupted by renewed fighting, pointing to a further drop in rice production this year. Until recently, some 200 000 internally displaced persons from the north, northwest, and central regions were living in camps in the suburbs of Monrovia; however, following the recent escalation of violence, most of them have fled to the city centre and are living in extremely difficult conditions. Thousands entered Sierra Leone and western Côte d’Ivoire. As of late May, WFP was providing food assistance to 182 347 people in the country.

In The Gambia, seasonably dry conditions prevail. Farmers are currently preparing their fields and planting is expected to start in the weeks ahead with the onset of rains.

Cereal production in 2002 is officially estimated at 139 000 tonnes, 30 percent lower than last year and 7 percent below the average of the last five years. Groundnut output also decreased steeply. Although cereal prices which increased sharply last year have decreased slightly, mainly in response to increased commercial rice imports, access to food for many households is still very difficult, notably in groundnut producing areas.

The Gambia is a beneficiary of WFP’s Regional EMOP launched in December 2002 for 5 drought-affected countries in western Sahel, with an allocation of 2 340 tonnes of cereals. As of late June this amount was fully covered by pledges.

In Cape Verde, seasonably dry conditions prevail. Planting of maize normally starts in July with the onset of rains on the main islands. Seed availability is likely to be a problem following the 2002 poor harvest.

A joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in October 2002 estimated maize production at some 5 000 tonnes, only one fourth of the good 2001 harvest and similar to the poor crops of 1997 and 1998. The Mission estimated cereal import requirements for the marketing year 2002/03 (November/October) at 108 518 tonnes, of which 33 250 tonnes were expected to be imported commercially, leaving a food aid requirement of 75 268 tonnes.

A follow-up joint FAO/CILSS mission in January 2003 found that the Government had launched food for work programmes to improve access to food for the poor. However, the programmes are under-funded. Cape Verde is a beneficiary of WFP’s Regional EMOP launched in December 2002.

In Guinea, first rains were registered in the south in late March, and subsequently covered the entire country in May, allowing land preparation and first plantings.

The first official estimate of 2002 cereal production, mostly rice, is about 1.04 million tonnes, which is average. The presence of a large refugee population and the persistent instability in neighbouring countries have exacted a heavy toll on the country, which currently hosts more than 100 000 Liberians and Sierra Leonean refugees. Since the civil war erupted in Côte d'Ivoire in September 2002, tens of thousands of people have entered the country, including returning Guinean nationals, Ivorians and Liberians. In addition, there are still some 82 000 IDPs in the country, displaced by the armed conflict over the period September 2000 to March 2001. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) appealed in early May for a further US $3.1 million to help refugees in Guinea and Guineans displaced within their own country in view of a weakening economy and continuing conflict in neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia.

In Sierra Leone, satellite images show that rainfall has been generally below average, with dry weather in most parts, which may have affected planting of the rice crop. However, paddy production is expected to increase further this year, reflecting an improved security situation and increased plantings by returning refugees and displaced farmers.

Cereal production in 2002 is estimated at some 417 000 tonnes, 20 percent above the previous year’s level. The food supply situation is satisfactory following this good harvest. The humanitarian situation in the country has also improved significantly following the end of the civil war. In 2002, over 100 000 Sierra Leonean refugees and 124 000 IDPs returned to their home areas. However, renewed civil strife in Liberia has caused at least 50 000 Liberians to cross into the country.

In Ghana, first rains in the south in late February/early March allowed land preparation and planting of the first maize crop. Precipitation progressed northwards in April, allowing plantings and emergence of millet and sorghum crops. However, although rainfall has been adequate so far in terms of volume, distribution has been poor, with a three-week dry spell in May, which necessitated replantings in most regions. Planting of the first maize crop is still underway in several regions in the south. The government has increased the import duty on rice from 20 to 25 percent this year, in order to support domestic rice production and reduce reliance on imported rice.

Aggregate 2002 cereal production has been estimated at some 2.15 millions tonnes, 26 percent above last year. Production of root crops also increased significantly. As a result, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Real prices in Cedi have even decreased for most staple commodities. The effects of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia on Ghana have mainly been an influx of third-country nationals in transit to their home countries, Ivorians and Liberians seeking asylum and the return of Ghanaian nationals. An estimated 70 000 people have entered Ghana from Côte d’Ivoire since September 2002, while renewed fighting in Liberia has prompted a further influx of thousands of refugees and returnees. The capacity of the government, the humanitarian community and host communities to respond to their needs is reported to be under heavy strain.

In Burkina Faso, the rainy season has started on time in the south and southwest, where the first significant rains were registered in early April. Rains covered the entire country in May, and land preparation and sowing of millet and sorghum are underway.

Final estimates of the 2002 cereal production indicate a record harvest of 3.12 million tonnes, 22 percent above the average of the last five years. As a result, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. However, returnees and refugees from Côte d’Ivoire as well as people living in the chronically food-deficit northern and Sahelian areas will continue to need food assistance in 2003.

In Guinea-Bissau, the 2002 aggregate cereal production is officially estimated at about 151 400 tonnes, 8 percent lower than the previous year’s harvest and slightly below average. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. However, people living in the chronically food deficit areas along the northern border with Senegal continue to need food assistance.

In Mali, the first significant rains were registered in the extreme south in mid-April, progressing northwards and allowing land preparation and first plantings of millet and sorghum to start.

The final official estimate of 2002 cereal production is about 2.5 million tonnes, which is average. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory except in the west where it is tight, and the return of some 130 000 Malians from Côte d’Ivoire is putting considerable pressure on the available supply. Mali is included in the Regional EMOP with an allocation of 4 000 tonnes.

In Nigeria, rains started in the south in early March, allowing land preparation and planting of the first maize crop. They reached northern areas in late April/early May, permitting planting of coarse grains. Paddy output is forecast to increase this year reflecting higher producer prices due to a rise in import duties imposed by the Government, which also set up a national rice security task force to boost local rice production.

The overall food supply situation is stable. However, some population groups, estimated to number around 750 000 people in the states of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba remain food insecure following ethnic and religious conflicts in the last two years.

Elsewhere inwestern Africa, the food supply situation is satisfactory.

In Central Africa, civil strife and insecurity continue to undermine food security in several countries.

In Central African Republic, precipitation has been generally widespread and abundant since March, permitting land preparation and first plantings. However, food production is not expected to increase this year due to persistent insecurity, notably in the north, and likely seed shortages. A joint WFP/FAO/UNICEF local assessment in the most affected areas in early May estimated that only 50 percent of the fields were effectively planted compared to normal years.

The food security situation is still precarious following civil strife between October 2002 and March 2003. Widespread destruction of physical assets, looting, and population displacement have disrupted agricultural and economic activities. In mid-March WFP re-launched its appeal for US$ 6.1 million, having received no pledges for its original appeal two months earlier. It is estimated that over 230 000 people have been displaced from their homes, including an estimated 41 000 who have taken refuge in Chad.

In the Republic ofCongo, cropgrowing conditions are generally satisfactory for maize and root crops. However, insecurity continues to disrupt agriculture and rehabilitation activities. A resurgence of fighting in the Pool region (surrounding the capital Brazzaville) in March 2002 led to the displacement of at least 84 000 people, but the exact number is unknown as most areas in the region were inaccessible to humanitarian agencies. Following a peace agreement between the government and rebels in mid-March 2003, a full-scale mission visited the region from 28 May to 7 June to identify the main humanitarian needs with the objective of facilitating the eventual return of IDPs. WFP is facing a serious shortfall in resources and has stopped all rehabilitation programmes in order to concentrate on emergency assistance to the most vulnerable.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), harvesting of the 2003 second season food crops is underway in eastern and north-eastern parts. However, favourable growing conditions notwithstanding, production is expected to be sharply reduced following the escalation of the civil war in these areas, mainly in Ituri District. The UN Security Council authorised in late May the deployment of a 1 500 strong multinational emergency force to Bunia, the main town in Ituri.

In mid-June, FAO and WFP jointly approved an Emergency Operation to assist 483 000 worst affected in the northern and eastern parts of the country, including the internally displaced, returnees from neighbouring countries and vulnerable groups. The operation is for a period of six months starting mid-June 2003, and is to provide 32 236 tonnes of cereals and 9 934 tonnes of beans.

In Burundi, harvesting of the 2003 second season foodcrops, mainly sorghum and beans, is well advanced. A good bean crop is anticipated in the main growing regions of Kirundo, Muyinga and Ruyigi, where prices of beans have declined by about half with the arrival of the new harvest into the markets. However, in other regions, the late planted bean and sorghum crops were damaged by excessive rains and hail in May and by insufficient rains earlier in the season. Provinces worst affected by localized crop losses are Kirundo, Muyinga, Karuzi, Cankuzo, Makamba, Mwaro, Kayanza and Muramvya.

Food aid is being provided to populations affected by the escalation of the civil conflict in April and May.

In Rwanda, harvesting of the 2003 second season food crops, mainly sorghum and beans, is underway. A satisfactory harvest is anticipated following abundant rains in late April and May, which improved conditions for crops previously affected by erratic precipitation. Production of Irish potatoes and bananas is also expected to be normal. However, reduced crops have been harvested in the Bugesera Region, where rains were insufficient and the food situation is likely to deteriorate in the coming months. Localized crop losses are also reported in parts of Rukara District in Umutara province.

Elsewhere in Central Africa, the food situation is satisfactory.

UPDATE ON FOOD AID PLEDGES AND DELIVERIES

Cereal import requirements in sub-Saharan Africa in 2003 are expected to remain high, reflecting mainly the effects of last year’s droughts in southern, eastern and western Africa. GIEWS latest estimates of 2002 production and 2002/03 import and food aid requirements are summarized in Table 1. Total food aid requirement is estimated at 3.8 million tonnes, against 2.0 million tonnes estimated in 2001/02. Cereal food aid pledges for 2002/03, including those carried over from 2001/02, amount to 2.3 million tonnes of which 2.05 million tonnes have so far been delivered.

For the African countries which have entered their new marketing year, 2003/04 import requirements are summarized in Table. 2, while for the countries still in the 2002/03 marketing year, their cereal import and food aid requirements are summarized in Table 3.