Africa

SADC cereal shortage looms
Africast, August 23, 2001

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Wednesday warned of cereal shortages in nine of its 14 member states. "Cereal deficits are expected in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe," executive secretary Prega Ramsamy said on Wednesday at a media briefing in Botswana. Zambia had launched an international appeal for assistance with maize production which was down 39 percent. Ramsamy said the region had experienced unfavourable weather in most countries. There would be an all-cereals deficit of 3.87-million tons for the 2001/2002 marketing year against a small surplus of 583 000 tons in the 2000/2001 marketing year. "Total domestic cereal availability is estimated at 25.04 million tons to meet requirements estimated at 28.91 million tons," he said. Of the SADC countries, only South Africa would have an all-cereal surplus. Maize would also be in surplus in Mozambique. "An urgent appeal for food assistance for two million people has been launched in Zambia, in the light of a 39 percent fall in maize production," Ramsamy said. "Maize shortfalls are also projected for Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe."

The SADC members are: Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. - Sapa