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Zimbabwe food security outlook
Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET)
August 07, 2009

http://www.fews.net/zimbabwe

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Generally, food security in Zimbabwe is expected to improve, given the 2008/09 harvests and the continued favorable regulations on the importation of basic commodities, which have resulted in increased availability of food in local markets.

In April, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) estimated cereal production at 1,510,000 MT, and in May, the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) estimated cereal production at 1,370,000 MT. Both indicate an improvement compared to last season's estimate of 560,000 MT and 690,000 MT provided by the MoA and the CFSAM, respectively.

Since the adoption of the multiple currency system and introduction of the duty-free regulation on imported basic commodities, which had been extended to the end of the year, there has been a marked improvement in stocking levels in most shops, and prices have declined. Though prices have gone down, they have remained high for most poor urban households with limited purchasing power.

Based on the ZimVAC urban assessment in January 2009 (adjusted for improvements in the last six months ) and the May 2009 ZimVAC Rural assessments (Interim and Rural Household Food Security Survey), FEWS NET estimates that between 2.0 and 2.4 million people are likely to be food insecure during the peak hunger period in the 2009/10 consumption year.

Livestock conditions remain fair to good across the country, with good grazing and adequate drinking water for animals. However drier parts of the country are likely to face water shortages after the winter (May-July). Dipping remains erratic in most areas, resulting in high incidences of tick-borne diseases.

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