March 7, 2005

Zambia suspends corn exports due to drought

The Zambian government has suspended the export of maize or corn because the country is expecting a poor harvest, a senior official told IRIN.

"We are experiencing a drought situation in most parts of Zambia - we have had no or very little rainfall in the southern provinces," said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Maybin Mubanga.

Describing the expected output as "very bad", Mubanga added, "We will be able to put a figure to it when the results of a crop assessment are ready in the next two weeks."

A recent Famine Early Warning Systems (FEWS NET) assessment found that Zambia had received adequate rainfall in most areas, with the exception of the south-western parts of the country, where prolonged dry spells have resulted in reduced plantings and crop failure.

After a failed harvest left an estimated 2.3 million in need of food aid in 2002, Zambia has recorded significant maize harvests for the past two years. In 2004, after meeting its domestic consumption requirements of 1.2 million tonnes, it exported the surplus to its neighbours.