Drought that has plagued southern Africa since the start of 2024 will certainly “worsen food insecurity” in the sector. Major growing areas in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe "received only 80% of average rainfall between mid-November 2023 and February 2024" Cereal production in the zone is therefore expected to decline overall this year, increasing the need to resort to imports.
Access to food could be complicated by “a loss of income for residents of rural areas and a possible increase in prices due to pressures on supply”