“The food security situation throughout Zimbabwe remained precarious during January and February 2006. The availability of staple cereals for purchase was erratic and grossly inadequate throughout the country. Maize was only occasionally available on markets either as grain or flour in both rural and urban centers. Extremely high maize prices and the escalating cost of living continue to make it difficult for poor households to purchase sufficient quantities of staple cereals, complementary foods and other basic household goods.” Preliminary predictions estimated that maize production would be greater in 2006. However, “Labor shortages were common among the newly resettled commercial farmers and this, together with the excessive rainfall, hampered adequate and timely weeding.”

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