Overall, the late onset of the rains and prolonged dry spells in parts of most countries have adversely affected maize production. Both countries have provided a range of production forecasts. Under the best and worst case scenarios in Mozambique, production is expected to be between 62 and 49 percent more than the past ten-year average. Under either scenario, production will be better than last year, which was adversely affected by heavy flooding. It said that officials in Malawi were also forecasting maize production levels 25 percent above average, but 15 percent below last year's bumper harvest.
Several organisations continue to provide assistance to flood victims.
WFP has distributed over 500 mt of maize to flood victims under its Immediate Response Operation. The update said that in comparison, Botswana and Namibia were both expecting maize production below average. In Namibia officials, the update said, were expecting maize production at an estimated 33 percent below he ten-year average and 59 percent less than last year. Below-average maize production was also forecast in South Africa and Zimbabwe, down by an estimated 15 percent. In the case of Zimbabwe the update said that the deficit would need to be met through commercial imports if foreign currency was available.