Mixed crop outlook

The number of countries in the world facing food emergencies increased in May with 36 of them currently affected by food shortages, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said in its latest 'Food Outlook'. According to the June report, drought is largely to blame for the food crises, which are all found in developing countries, but civil strife, especially in Africa, is exacerbating the situation. In southern Africa, the report said, despite severe flooding and some crop losses due to excessive rains and cyclones in recent months the overall prospects for production were "favourable". "Major, maize growing areas in the sub-region gave generally benefited from the abundant moisture," it said. It added that the FAO's latest forecasts pointed to an grain crop of about 17 million mt, an increase of 7 percent from last year. South Africa It said that the 17 million mt output mainly reflected a recovery in South Africa which is the main producer in the region. "A provisional estimates indicates a maize output of 9.64 million mt, one-third higher in the previous year....reflecting plantings and higher increased yields," the report said. Malawi The abundant rains from February to April led to a recovery of the maize crop which had been affected by an earlier dry spell in the main growing areas. "Preliminary estimates point to an output of 2.3 million mt, only 6 percent lower than the record level last year," it said. Zimbabwe The FAO said that the main maize crop area is estimated to be larger than earlier anticipated and heavy rains in February and March were generally beneficial to the crop. "However, despite improved prospects, civil disturbances in the past two months, coupled with shortages of fuel, have disrupted harvesting operations and the final outcome is uncertain, the report noted. Mozambique Severe flood damage in southern parts, and a slight reduction yields in the main growing areas, have resulted in a decline in maize output to about 994,000 mt. Zambia The report said that despite localised flooding, abundant precipitation since February has benefited the main maize crop. Output is estimated at 918,000 mt, 7 percent higher than last year. Angola Grain output has decreased by 6 percent to 500,000 mt. "This mainly reflects a decline of 8 percent in the main maize crop, which was affected by erratic rains during the growing season," the FAO said. Swaziland The maize output is estimated at 72,000 mt, "substantially lower" than last year's output of 112,000 mt. It cited "excessive rains and floods during the season, as well as a decline of 10 percent in plantings". Namibia Abundant rains in late March and April following a dry spell in the beginning of March, benefited the maize and millet crop. "Latest information points to a course grain output more than double last year's average level," the report noted. Lesotho Maize production is forecast at 116,000 mt, 7 percent below last year's crop. Dry weather at the beginning of the season followed by excessive rains from February adversely affected yields. Botswana A larger grain output is expected, with an increase in sorghum production offsetting reduced maize production. A smaller maize crop is expected because of severe floods in the eastern and southern provinces. Madagascar As the main rice producing country in the region, flood-related losses added to an already depressed crop. "Current expectations are for a sharp drop in paddy output from the previous year," the report said. The FAO report can be found at: http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/faoinfo/economic/giews/english/fo/fo0006/HTTOC.htm