Regional Focus - Southern Africa

Most southern African countries will record high maize harvests in 2010. South Africa projects total maize output at 13.10 million tonnes and plans to export around 4 million tonnes of its maize surplus. Zambia and Malawi also intend to export some surplus maize. The Government of Angola, which had a once-prosperous farming sector before civil unrest, is optimistic of a rebound in the sector, with a 10.7% growth expected this year. However, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports that some countries will need emergency food assistance to feed their people following poor maize yields. The Zimbabwe government expects its maize output to fall by 11% this year due mainly to bad weather.