FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
1. Early prospects for 2011 wheat crop improved.
2. Wheat prices have been rising but bread prices have remained more stable in recent months.
3. Food security in general has improved but it remains as a concern in certain pockets.
Prospects for 2011 winter wheat crop improved with precipitation in January and early February
Heavy rain/snow fall during January and early February was received in the central and north-eastern areas of the country. This should compensate for the below normal precipitation since October 2010, the start of the country's main wet season. Reportedly flash floods occurred near Herat in the west. Temperatures remained below normal in January and they are forecast to fall below the frost kill level (below -18oC) next week in the northeast mountains and central highlands but snow cover is estimated to be adequate. Spring wheat will be planted in March-April. Hence the final outcome of wheat production will depend on the weather conditions in the next weeks and performance of rains during spring months.
