FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- 2010A season crop much larger than last year
- Food security improved and food import need lower following a succession of good harvests
- Wholesale cereal and beans prices have declined in recent months
2010 A season crop better than last year
Contrary to earlier expectations, despite an uneven rainfall season in several areas, preliminary data from the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) crop assessment indicate that the 2010A cereal and beans production, harvested at the beginning of the year was better than the same season in 2009. Cereal production increased by 26 percent and pulses by 19 percent. By contrast there was a small decline by 3 percent in the production of tubers and bananas. Plantings of the 2010B crops (about 50 percent of total) have benefited from above average rainfall so far. A production assessment will be conducted at harvest time in June.