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FEWS Southern Africa Food Security Brief Feb 2005
Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET)
March 14, 2005

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/RMOI-6AG37J?OpenDocument&rc=1&cc=zwe

Executive Summary
Dry conditions in the month of February have raised concerns of possible failed harvests in Southern Africa's most affected areas, which include southern Malawi, southern and central Mozambique, and most parts of Zimbabwe. The dry spell (particularly in Malawi) occurred at the tasseling and grain filling stages where adequate soil moisture is most critical. However crops at the vegetative stages have been equally affected as permanent wilting has been reported in the severely affected areas. The dry spells came on the backdrop of a generally poor rainy season performance marked by an erratic start, intermittent dry spells up to the first dekad of January, and flooding in parts. This, together with reported poor availability of agricultural inputs at the start of the season is expected to result in reduced crop yields, and subsequent production shortfalls. Timely food security and vulnerability assessments are recommended.

The supply of the main staple (maize) continues to tighten in most countries, but the availability of early season food crops and food aid interventions is reported to have eased the situation in some of the worst affected areas. Nonetheless, retail maize prices are now rising steadily as last year's stocks are drawn down. Exceptions include parts of Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa where February prices are reported to have dropped over January levels. Trade has largely contributed to help stabilize prices in Malawi, while for South Africa; surplus availability (among others) is exerting downward pressure on prices. New season crops (short rains harvest) have improved maize supplies in Tanzania.

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