FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.57
| Area: | 17 000 sq km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September |
| Population: | 1.06 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$1 300 (2001) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize |
| Marketing year: | May/April; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 55 percent |
Prolonged dry weather in November and early December is delaying planting of the 2003 cereal crops. More rains are urgently needed to avoid a sharp reduction in the area planted.
The food supply situation is difficult as a result of three consecutive years of below-average harvests. Some 265 000 people are estimated to be in need of food assistance until next harvest. Against a food aid requirement of some 15 000 tonnes of cereals, 10 000 have been received in the country by late November. Additionally, the Government has distributed 500 tonnes. However, commercial imports have only reached 27 000 tonnes against an expected level of 96 000 tonnes. Prices of maize are on the increase.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 1 | 108 | 109 |
| Previous five years average imports | 40 | 7 | 30 | 77 |
| 2002/03 Domestic Availability | 9 | - | 68 | 77 |
| 2002 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 68 | 68 |
| 2002 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | 68 | 68 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 9 | - | 0 | 9 |
| 2002/03 Utilization | 45 | 4 | 139 | 188 |
| Food use | 45 | 4 | 135 | 184 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002/03 Import Requirement | 36 | 4 | 71 | 111 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 36 | 4 | 56 | 96 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| of which: delivered | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 42 | 4 | 127 | 173 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2002 Production as % of average: | 62 | |||
| 2002/03 Import requirement as % of average: | 144 |