Volumes of aid freight set to drop

Improved food security across most of Africa is likely to see volumes of aid-related maize and other food products dropping over the next year. According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS), no African countries are expected to need emergency aid in the first quarter of 2013 – barring natural disasters or political unrest. Above-average harvests are being reported from the West African region, with only Liberia reporting “minimal food insecurity”. In East Africa, “acute food insecurity is likely to decline”. The region will, however, continue to rely on imports, particularly in Somalia – although the situation is improving in the country. Southern Africa is expected to experience “minimal” food insecurity, with the situation in Zimbabwe reported to have improved. African ports in West and East Africa in particular are likely to see volumes drop as a result of the drop in imports of food aid. Intra-African trade could, however, be given a boost with exports from regions with surpluses to those that are not selfsufficient. There is also a flow between different production areas within countries and regions.