July 14, 2006

 

Zimbabwe may need to import US$35 million of grains

 

 

Zimbabwe may have to import US$35 million of grain this year to cover its food deficit, according to preliminary estimates from The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)

 

FAO studies conclude that although Zimbabwe experienced a relatively good 2005/06 agricultural season, its crop harvest is far below consumption needs.

 

Recently, the country, which has been suffering from food shortages for the past six years, claimed it had produced enough maize to feed its citizens. However, the FAO dismissed those estimates and urged the government to make an international food appeal.

 

FAO joins USDA and two other international forecasters in disputing Zimbabwe's harvest figures.

 

The organisations said the foreign currency crisis had resulted in a lack of agricultural inputs while the country's newly resettled farmers lacked the farm expertise to produce enough maize.

 

FAO said the poor harvest was due to the shortage of fertiliser and seeds as scarce foreign currency resources decimated imports.

 

Overall maize and cereal production prospects look favourable compared to last year's drought-affected output. However, it is unlikely to reach the official government forecast of 1.8 million tonnes announced last month, FAO said.

 

FAO's current forecast for 2006 estimates maize production at 1 to 1.2 million tonnes.

 

Zimbabwe, however, requires an estimated 1.8 million tonnes of grains yearly.

 

FAO said preliminary estimates of maize import requirements for 2006/07 marketing year is at 300,000 tonnes.

 

FAO warned that the country, in its seventh year of economic crisis, could have difficulty footing the import bill even if it does import because of declining foreign currency revenues.