FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - September 2005 p.35

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  LESOTHO

The 2005 cereal production is estimated at 119 000 tonnes, 16 percent above the previous year’s drought-affected level, but 16 percent below average. Consequently, the country needs to import 303 000 tonnes of cereals to cover domestic consumption requirements, including 80 000 tonnes of food aid for vulnerable groups who experienced crop failure.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2005/06 MARKETING YEAR (April/March)
 WheatRiceCoarse GrainsTotal Cereals
 [thousand tonnes]
Previous year production (incl. paddy rice)12-91103
Previous five years average production (incl. paddy rice)24-118142
Previous year imports6010181251
Previous five years average imports6110161232
2005/06 Domestic Availability28-120147
2005 Production (incl. paddy rice)10-109119
2005 Production (incl. milled rice)10-109119
Possible stock drawdown17-1128
2005/06 Utilization10110339450
Food use10010332442
Non-food use1-78
Exports or re-exports----
Possible stock build up----
2005/06 Import Requirement7310220303
Anticipated commercial imports7310140223
of which: received or contracted26-3662
Food aid needs--8080
Current Aid Position    
Food aid pledges--1212
of which: delivered--1212
Donor-financed purchases--66
of which: for local use--66
for export----
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)424139185
Indexes[percentage]
2005 Production compared to average (incl. paddy rice)4309284
2005/06 Import requirement compared to average120100136131
Cereal share of total calorie intake   78
Additional Information    
Major foodcropsmaize; sorghum; vegetables
Lean seasonFebruary-April
Population (000s)2 389   
GNI per capita in 2003 (US$)590   

FAO/GIEWS - September 2005

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