|
Area: |
784 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Tropical wet-dry; coast is semi-arid |
|
Population: |
16.66 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 80 (1995) |
|
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: |
March/April; Lean season: February-April |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
53 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Rainfall has generally been favourable this year. Following a slow start to the season, widespread and heavy rains were received in January and February in most parts of the country, benefiting crops at vegetative and flowering stages. However, several weeks of torrential rains in February caused extensive flooding along the country’s main rivers, the Zambezi, Pungue and Buzi, displacing people and damaging crops and property.
The food supply situation is a cause for concern, particularly in central areas affected by floods which caused considerable economic and social damage. An estimated 300 000 people affected by floods in central Mozambique, are in need of assistance. The government has appealed for 30 million dollars worth of international assistance for flood victims covering short and medium-term needs for repairing structural damages to roads and bridges and meeting the urgent needs of the affected population. Of 220 000 tons of food aid pledged by donors for the 1996/97 marketing year, 97 000 tons were delivered.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently visiting the country to evaluate the impact of floods on crops, estimate the 1997 harvest and evaluate the food supply situation for 1997/98.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
50 |
458 |
508 |
|
Normal Imports |
102 |
60 |
244 |
406 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
102 |
52 |
140 |
294 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
- |
90 |
1 280 |
1 370 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
135 |
1 280 |
1 415 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
90 |
1 280 |
1 370 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
150 |
170 |
1 340 |
1 660 |
|
Food Use |
143 |
163 |
1 185 |
1 491 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
7 |
7 |
155 |
169 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
150 |
80 |
60 |
290 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
80 |
60 |
10 |
150 |
|
Food aid needs |
70 |
20 |
50 |
140 |
|
of which emergency |
- |
- |
20 |
20 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
33 |
38 |
53 |
124 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
9 |
10 |
71 |
90 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
279 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
71 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
48 | |||