Ongoing harvests improve food security outcomes across most parts of the region
KEY MESSAGES
• Minimal food insecurity outcomes (IPC Phase 1) are expected to persist across the region through June as household food access improves from own production The exception is in some flood affected areas in southern Mozambique and areas in the southern districts in Zimbabwe where poor rainfall distribution and mid - season dry spells is expected to have reduce d harvests. Stressed outcomes (IPC Phase 2) are expected among poor households in these localized areas in Mozambique and Zimbabwe in June, both in the presence and in the absence of assistance, respectively.
• While national food production estimates and vulnerability assessments are still being finalized, current indications are that poorer households in parts of the region that experienced poor crop production this season are likely to face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity outcomes from July to September.
• Overall regional grain supplies are likely to be tighter in the 2013/14 consumption season given reduced levels of production and carryover stocks from surplus producing South Africa and Zambia. However, in the period through September, cereal prices are expected to remain stable, increasing seasonably in July/ August.