Attachments
Stressed outcomes persist in southern and central regions despite harvest season
KEY MESSAGES
-
In the interior of Gaza and Inhambane, northern Maputo, southern Tete, and parts of Manica and Sofala provinces, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes persist as most poor households are facing depleted food stocks due to a failed 2017/18 cropping season. Beginning in June, food access is expected to worsen in these areas due to rising staple food prices and limited incomes. Most poor households’ outcomes in these areas are expected to gradually deteriorate to Crisis (IPC Phase 3), requiring urgent emergency assistance.
-
During a rapid food security assessment in late March in Gaza Province, FEWS NET confirmed widespread areas of crop failure. These findings were also recently corroborated by the Crop and Early Warning Unit (DCAP) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA) that indicated there was total crop failure in the south for October planted crops. MASA/DCAP also noted water deficits that affected November and December planted crops in southern and central areas.
-
From February to March, maize grain prices had a slight increase in half of the monitored markets, largely due to production shortfalls, and remained stable in the other half. This is typically when prices peak or begin to decline. On average,
March maize grain prices were below the five-year average by 31 percent and below last year’s prices by 46 percent. Maize meal and rice prices were generally stable in all monitored markets and near last year’s levels.