[FAO_logo_Blue_2lines_en.jpg] Dear All, We are pleased to share the following FAO/GIEWS Special Alert. GIEWS Special Alert No. 343 26 February 2018 Southern Africa Erratic rains and an intense dry period in January lowers 2018 cereal production prospects HIGHLIGHTS § Erratic precipitation and well below-average rains in January have lowered Southern Africa's overall 2018 cereal production prospects. § Current national maize stocks are forecast at above-average levels due to the record outputs in 2017; this should partly cushion the expected production declines in 2018. § Reduced harvests are still foreseen to intensify food insecurity in 2018, increasing the number of people in need of assistance; however, humanitarian needs expected to remain below the levels of 2016. [cid:image006.jpg@01D3AFBD.D4BDE1D0]<http://www.fao.org/3/I8672EN/i8672en.pdf> [cid:image007.gif@01D3AFBD.B0E4A2D0] Go to GIEWS Special Alert<http://www.fao.org/3/I8672EN/i8672en.pdf> [cid:image007.gif@01D3AFBD.B0E4A2D0] Go to other GIEWS Special Alerts<http://www.fao.org/giews/reports/special-alerts/en/> Enquiries may be directed to: Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS)<http://www.fao.org/giews/en/> Trade and Markets Division (EST) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome, Italy E-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the GIEWSAlertsWorld-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(GIEWSAlertsWorld-L,SIGNOFF);