Mission Highlights
Most parts of Lao PDR experienced a prolonged dry period at the beginning of the 2010 main paddy cropping season which led to extensive re-sowing and late transplanting. Localized flooding later in the season resulted in loss of crops, especially in the south.
At 3 million tonnes, expected national paddy production for 2010/11 (wet season of 2010 and dry season of 2010/11) will be approximately 6 percent down from 2009/10. Both paddy area and yields were lower this year than the last.
Rice import requirements in marketing year 2011 (January/December) are estimated at 38 000 tonnes, around the level of last year, representing a small proportion of domestic consumption. Most of this requirement is anticipated to be covered by commercial imports.
Prices of rice peaked at an unusually high level in August and September reflecting fears of low production both nationally and regionally and remained higher than expected after harvest. The price situation rises concern about access to food by low-income sections of the population.
Vulnerability and food insecurity continue to be characterized by highly localized small scale shocks, which may have severe impacts at the community and district level. As a result of incomplete recovery following Typhoon Ketsana in late 2009 and the 2010 drought and floods, food insecurity is still concentrated in the central and southern regions of the country.
Affected population, estimated at over 111 918 people, will continue to require external support in the period before the main wet season rice harvest in October 2011. Overall food aid requirements for 2011 are estimated at 4 000 tonnes of rice.