FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report - November 1997:

KENYA

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvesting of the 1997 main "long rains" season crops is underway in the major growing areas and is completed in the bi-modal Western and Eastern provinces. Weather conditions have been generally adequate during the growing season but the rainy season started late and dry spells were experienced in May. This resulted in planting reductions and affected yield potential. The main maize crop is provisionally forecast to recover from the reduced level of last year and to be normal, but lower than the bumper crop of 1994. Excessively wet weather at harvest time in October may also adversely affect total maize production. Despite the overall satisfactory cereal crop, reduced outputs have been gathered in areas of the Lake Victoria basin, particularly Nyanza province, where rains were erratic. Production of wheat is forecast to be above average mainly reflecting larger plantings. Harvesting of bean crops is completed throughout the country; the crop was negatively affected by shortages of seeds following the previous season’s poor output. Provisional estimates indicate a production of 216 000 tons, one-third below the average level.

In northern and eastern pastoral areas, generally good rains during the season allowed a recovery of pastures and livestock affected by drought in the previous 1996/97 "short rains" season. However, food aid continues to be needed in the most vulnerable areas.

The tight food supply situation is easing with the arrival of the new harvest into the markets and substantial imports in the past months. Prices of maize, which have increased steadily during the past year, started to decline from September. They remain, however, at high levels.