|
Area: |
30 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Highland rainy climate with mild winter. One rainy season Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard |
|
Population: |
2.16 million (excluding migrant labour force)(1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 770 |
|
(1995) |
|
|
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
|
Logistics: |
All imports through South Africa |
|
Major foodcrops: |
Maize, sorghum, vegetables |
|
Marketing year: |
April/March; Lean season: February-April |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
75 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Following dry conditions in late January and early February which reduced soil moisture considerably and affected yields, widespread rains in early March provided relief for the maize crop. While output is not expected to reach last year’s record level, a good harvest is in prospect.
The food supply situation for the current marketing year is expected to be satisfactory as a result of large stocks from the bumper harvest of 1996. The cereal import requirement is being met by commercial means.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
23 |
- |
155 |
178 |
|
Normal Imports |
55 |
10 |
150 |
215 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
2 |
20 |
37 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
35 |
- |
180 |
215 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
30 |
- |
170 |
200 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
30 |
- |
170 |
200 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
5 |
- |
10 |
15 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
80 |
- |
310 |
390 |
|
Food Use |
77 |
- |
285 |
362 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
3 |
- |
25 |
28 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
45 |
- |
130 |
175 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
40 |
- |
105 |
145 |
|
Food aid needs |
5 |
- |
25 |
30 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
36 |
- |
132 |
168 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
112 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
81 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
81 |