Africa report 05/96 Individual countries

MOZAMBIQUE

Area: 784 000 sq.km
Climate: Tropical wet-dry; coast is semi-arid
Population: 16 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 80 (1993)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; exposed to tropical storms and cyclones
Logistics: Dilapidated rail and road transport fleet; lack of fuel and spares; poor roads; substantial deliveries by coastal vessels; disruption by guerrillas
Major foodcrops: Roots, tubers, maize
Marketing year: April/March; Lean season: February-March
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 53 percent


CURRENT SITUATION

Above-normal rainfall in February and March has been generally favourable for crop development in most parts of the country. However, Zambezia, Sofala, Gaza and Maputo provinces were affected by floods and cyclone Bonita, damaging crops, particularly in some districts of Gaza and Maputo. Elsewhere, conditions are favourable. Crops are at vegetative, flowering and maturing stages in central and southern provinces. In the north, vegetative and flowering stages are reported. Favourable rainfall and a larger planted area are expected to result in an increase in maize output over last year. A surplus of maize and cassava is anticipated in the northern provinces where cassava is the main staple food.The food supply situation remains relatively tight but has improved substantially. Although commercial imports have been slow to arrive, total cereal food aid pledges of 398 000 tons fully cover relief requirements of which almost all were delivered during the 1995/96 marketing year. For 1996/97, pledges amount to 50 000 tons so far, of which 15 000 tons have been delivered. However, as a result of recent floods, the government launched an international appeal on 28 February, requesting U.S.$ 14 million for assistance to some 200 000 affected people. The country continues to have many internally displaced people, a large portion of which are farmers and agricultural labourers. As a consequence, the country continues to be heavily dependent on external assistance for both food aid and supply of inputs to sustain recovery. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently visiting the country to appraise the 1996 harvest and evaluate the food supply situation for 1996/97 including food needs.


CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1996/97 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total
Normal production - 33 458 491
Normal imports (incl. re-exports) 102 60 244 406
of which: Structural food aid 102 52 408 562
1996 Production - 73 972 1 045
1996/97 Utilization 130 165 1 160 1 455
Food use 130 160 1 060 1 350
of which: local purchase requirements - - (6) (6)
Non-food use - 5 100 105
1996/97 Import Requirement 130 92 188 410
Anticipated commercial imports 40 41 - 81
Food aid needs 90 51 188 329
of which: Emergency - - 100 100
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges 5 30 15 50
of which: Delivered - - 15 15
Donor-financed local purchases - - 6 6
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) 8 11 70 89
Indexes
1996 production as % of normal: 213
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: 101
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): 59

1/ Includes needs of returnees from neighbouring countries.

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996

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