Although food availability at the national level is adequate, access to food is still a concern for an estimated 12-14 percent of the population. The 2012-13 Namibia Vulnerability Assessment Committee (NVAC) and 2012 Crops and Food Security Situation reports revealed that overall household food security is satisfactory. The number of people in need of food assistance dropped from 240,000 in 2011 to 74,000 people in 2012, with food insecurity more prevalent in the north-western regions mainly due to prevailing chronic poverty and droughts. Most households are currently consuming their own production and it is anticipated that food stocks in most regions will be able to sustain households until the end of November this year. According to FAO, the rainfall forecast indicates favourable conditions for the 2012/13 cropping season.
In August 2012, year-on-year food inflation rate reached 5.8 percent, up from 5.4 percent reported in August 2011, mainly due to the increase of maize meal, wheat flour and pasta. The increase in global maize prices could have a spill over effect on price of maize in Namibia
October 2012