ReliefWeb

Minimal food insecurity outcomes to prevail amid prospects of a good harvest

Key Messages

Food insecurity will remain at Minimal (IPC Phase 1) levels as the country has adequate staple food supplies and as farming households access own-produced staple foods and other seasonal foods from the current harvest. This is also providing improved dietary diversity.

Maize production prospects from the ongoing harvest are likely to be near the five-year average, and adequate to cover national food requirements for the 2014/15 consumption year. However, a few areas in southern province (Choma, Gwembe and Siavonga districts) and Lundazi district in Eastern Province estimated yield reduction at about 30 percent below average due to late start-of-season and early cessation of rains.

Maize and maize meal prices are likely to follow a seasonal trend and decrease as market supplies increase. This will improve staple food access for poor, market-dependent households. This will be the case even though prices are likely to remain above the five-year average due to increased transport costs, as fuel prices have been adjusted upwards by 8.3 percent as of April 18, 2014.