Zimbabwe

Presence country
Zimbabwe
 Flag of Zimababwe
Key Message Update
November 2023
Below-average rainfall in November is hindering seasonal agricultural activity
  • In November, the number of households engaging in coping strategies indicative of Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes is slowly increasing, particularly in the typical deficit-producing areas. Poor households have largely depleted their own-produced food stocks, and constrained access to income limits their market access to food. However, in the productive surplus-producing resettlement areas in the north, Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes are expected to persist through the 2024 harvest due to the availability of own-produced stocks and income from some crop sales and casual labor. The communal parts of these areas will likely continue to experience Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes due to limited household stocks and access to income for market purchases. 
  • Dry and very hot conditions in November are limiting planting activities across much of the country, following cumulatively average to above-average rainfall in October. Land preparation continues to be the main activity, although at below-normal levels. An effective start of the season is typically around mid-November across most parts of the country, but the dry and hot conditions are delaying an effective start to the rainy season. Close monitoring of rainfall totals and distribution will be required throughout the rainy season to assess the impact of the El Niño on crop production. Deficit-producing areas in southern, eastern, and western Zimbabwe are of particular concern.
  • Access to water is declining across most typical semi-arid areas where rainfall has been well below average in November. In these areas, livestock and some people travel longer than normal distances to access water, reducing the time available for households to engage in other domestic and livelihood activities. Pasture conditions are also deteriorating in these areas, mainly negatively impacting cattle body conditions. A lack of access to clean water and good sanitation is also continuing to drive the national cholera outbreak, with more than 9,000 suspected cases and nearly 160 suspected cholera deaths recorded since February. Cases have been reported in 46 districts in all 10 provinces. In November, the government declared a state of emergency over Harare as cholera cases spiked and activated the Civil Protection Act. The government also set up Water Technical Committees in Harare and Bulawayo to improve water supply and sanitation as these cities are experiencing critical water supply challenges.  
  • Market maize grain availability is declining as more households increase their dependence on market purchases, particularly in deficit-producing areas. However, some surplus-producing areas remain well-supplied with grain. The USD prices of basic food commodities, including maize meal, have remained stable in November; however, the ZWL prices are increasing in line with official and parallel market exchange rate increases. Households continue to expand their engagement in income-earning activities such as casual labor, various forms of self-employment, livestock sales, and petty trade, including the sale of forest products to earn income, along with barter and reliance on remittances. However, increased competition for labor and income opportunities is keeping earnings low across most parts of the country. The distribution of lean season humanitarian assistance by the government and partners is yet to start, but it is expected to begin in January 2024. In December, the festive season will likely improve food availability for some poor households through gifts and remittances, labor opportunities, and barter for food.  
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Food Security
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Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Flooding spreads into southeastern Africa, while parts of southern Africa remain abnormally dry Global February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
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Alerts / Special Reports
Alert Strong El Niño will drive high needs across Southern Africa through early 2025 Southern Africa November 8, 2023
Food Security
Food Security Outlook Seasonal income sources likely to be constrained through the 2023/24 lean season Zimbabwe October 2023 - May 2024
Key Message Update El Niño expected to impact the upcoming 2023/24 agricultural season negatively Zimbabwe September 2023
Food Security Outlook Update Prices remain stable but purchasing power is low for low-income households Zimbabwe August 2023
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Flooding spreads into southeastern Africa, while parts of southern Africa remain abnormally dry Global February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Markets & Trade
Price Bulletin Zimbabwe Price Bulletin Zimbabwe October 2023
Supply and Market Outlook Southern Africa Regional Supply and Market Outlook Southern Africa October 1, 2023
Price Bulletin Zimbabwe Price Bulletin Zimbabwe September 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
Alert Strong El Niño will drive high needs across Southern Africa through early 2025 Southern Africa November 8, 2023
Food Security Classification Data View all Zimbabwe classification data
Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification (November 2023 - May 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (November 2023 - January 2024) and medium term (February 2024 - May 2024) periods.

Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile November 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification November 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: November 2023 - January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: November 2023 - January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML) Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification (October 2023 - May 2024)

Current (October 2023) food security outcomes and forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (October 2023 - January 2024) and medium term (February 2024 - May 2024) periods.

Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile October 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification October 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Current Situation: October 2023 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Current Situation: October 2023 (.kml) (KML) Near Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML) Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification (September 2023 - January 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (September 2023) and medium term (October 2023 - January 2024) periods.

Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile September 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Zimbabwe Acute Food Insecurity Classification September 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: September 2023 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: September 2023 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.kml) (KML)
Seasonal Calendar Seasonal Calendar

The Seasonal Calendar shows the annual and cyclical patterns of key food and income sources in a country throughout the typical year.
Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest periods for Zimbabwe
Production & Trade Flow Maps
FEWS NET captures the market networks for a product in a given country or region, including their catchments and trade flow patterns.
Wheat, Normal Year Maize, Normal Year
Remote Sensing Imagery Remote Sensing Imagery

USGS-provided data and imagery supports FEWS NET's monitoring efforts of weather and climate throughout the world.

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Livelihood Zone Resources Livelihood Zone Resources
Zimbabwe Livelihood Baseline Narrative - 2011 Zimbabwe Livelihood Baseline Synthesis Report - 2011 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Profiles, December 2010 Zimbabwe Livelihood Zones Map
Zimbabwe 2011 Livelihood Zones Map (.PNG)
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