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December 13, 2000
Zimbabwe corn production for 2000/01 is estimated at 1.0 million tons, down 17 percent from last month and 41 percent from last year due to lower estimated area. Based on information from Zimbabwe government sources and farm organizations, planted area was revised sharply lower this month to 950,000 hectares, down 34 percent from last year and the lowest since 1991. Area reductions are expected in both the commercial and the communal farming sectors for many reasons, among them the GOZ’s disruptive land redistribution program, economic instability, agricultural input shortages, and unfavorably low procurement prices. Yields are also expected to be affected by the problems in Zimbabwe’s agricultural system. Estimated yield for the 2000/01 crop is 1.05 tons per hectare, almost 17 percent below the 5-year average.
Planting is currently underway in Zimbabwe and should be concluded by the end of December. The rainy season started slowly this year, but cumulative rainfall since October 1 has been close to normal and there is adequate moisture for planting and germination in the main crop areas. [Cumulative Rainfall Graphs (mm) - Harare | Gokwe | Gweru ]
The crop information in this report is an update to Agricultural Situation in Zimbabwe, published in August 2000.
For more information, contact Paulette Sandene with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division on (202) 690-0133.
