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Zambia

ZAMBIA Food Security Outlook Update - November 2010

Attachments

Food prices remain stable as the lean season commences

Key Messages

- The food security situation in most parts of the country remains stable as the lean season commences. Food availability remains good with large in-country maize stocks and limited exports ensuring lower food prices for consumers. Supplies from surplus areas continue to mitigate shortages in low production areas and localized areas adversely affected by poor rains in the previous season, maintaining relatively stable food prices.

- Prices for maize remain largely stable and are close to the five-year average yet lower than comparable prices in the 2009/10 marketing season. In some areas maize prices have started increasing as is expected with the commencement of the lean season as household demand for maize increases and market supplies decline. Retail maize meal prices are also following a similar trend. Due to surplus availability however, maize prices are expected to peak at the height of the lean season in February/March at levels lower than in comparable months last year.

- The rainy season has commenced in the western half of the country with some areas receiving above average rainfall in the first dekad of November, while the northern parts of the country are experiencing a slight delay in the commencement of the season. Should above-normal rainfall be received in the southern half of the country, flooding is anticipated. Areas of major concern for flooding from January through March will be Lusaka, the Southern and Western provinces, southern parts of North western Province as well as Mambwe in Eastern Province.