Mozambique livestock losses to flooding – 13% in Gaza, 7% in Maputo, 5% in Sofala

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations estimated on Thursday that the province of Gaza, in southern Mozambique, lost 13% of its total livestock due to flooding, warning that this could also affect future production. “There are livestock that have been affected by flooding meaning that future production is anticipated to decrease as waterborne diseases and overall stress impact the production process,” readsa reportby that organisation, to which Lusa had access yesterday. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) explains that “observations from satellite images using the Gridded Livestock of the World data as a baseline source (FAO, 2025), indicate that over 600 000 livestock have been exposed” to the floods.

“In addition, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fishery, more than 27 000 livestock have died,” FAO adds. “In Gaza, 13 percent of the total livestock have been affected by flooding followed by Maputo (7 percent) and Sofala (5 percent),” the FAO report reads. According to the FAO document, the numbers are expected to increase “as more carcasses are discovered” and also in view of the advancing rainy season in Mozambique.

“The loss of livestock assets are likely to lead to future loss of livestock products such as milk, eggs and offspring. This also impacts income and depletes the coping capacity of households.,” the organisation points out. In the same report, the United Nations agency also notes that agricultural plantations in the districts of Marracuene and Manhiça, in Maputo, were the most affected by the floods, with 16% and 12% flooded, respectively.

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“The most affected districts by absolute flooded cropland area are Chókwè, Chibuto, Limpopo and Buzi (over 30 000 ha each). “In Manhiça and Marracuene districts, flood impact has had the highest effect on banana plantations. A total of 55 percent and 53 percent of these plantations have been affected, respectively,” the document reads.

The district of Manhiça also has 40% of its sugar cane plantations flooded, as do Búzi (47%) and Chókwè (41%). The FAO also estimates that 50% to 75% of the yield loss is likely due to flooding and river overflow, based on field observations by the organisation and other field staff.

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