Erratic rains leave EA worried of poor 2009 grain harvest...

In Uganda, harvesting is under-way. Late rains in the northeast delayed planting activities, raising concerns that the harvest will be below average.

Poorly distributed rains resulted in variation in the crop development, but overall average rains were recorded throughout most parts of the country, with the exception of western and central regions, which received below normal rains during April and May.

Rice supplies are coming from Mbale district in the east and Hoima in the west.

Imported rice from Pakistan and Vietnam was surprisingly traded at high prices and in large quantities compared with local brands.

Uganda sorghum was in high demand in Kenya and statistics shows that between March and July, 12,523 tonnes of sorghum crossed to Kenya through Busia border.

According to EAGC-Ratin, Rwanda imported 32,800 tonnes of rice from Zambia and Pakistan in July, while 117,500 tonnes of wheat was imported from Russia and Argentina.

In Dar es Salaam, maize prices have remained relatively stable in 2009.

However, in July, they were 18 per cent higher than last year’s prices, at $240 per tonne.

A bumper maize harvest in Malawi is anticipated to lower prices in Southern Tanzania.

Though there is market availability in Southern African countries — Zimbabwe and Zambia, the ban on maize export is still on in Tanzania.

Maize prices in Nairobi increased by 24 per cent between January and July 2009 and remain 18 per cent higher, at $324 per tonne, compared with July last year.

The prices were at a peak of $450 per tonne in May 2009.

The decline in national maize production in 2008/09 season caused the high maize prices despite the duty waiver on imported maize.