|
Area: |
1.22 million sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Sub-tropical with rains concentrated in the summer months (November-April); occasional snow in winter over higher parts of plateau and Cape ranges; an average of 120 days frost in the interior plateau |
|
Population: |
43.33 million (1997 estimate); GNP per caput U.S.$ 3 160 (1995) |
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Specific characteristics of the country: |
Normally net food exporter, notably maize |
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Logistics: |
Adequate port, rail and road facilities |
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Major foodcrops: |
Maize, wheat |
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Marketing year: |
May/April; Lean season: February-April |
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
54 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Following continued heavy rains in major growing areas in December and January which resulted in delays of up to a month in planting, dry and hot weather conditions prevailed during the crucial period of mid-January to February, which considerably reduced soil moisture and may affect yields. Widespread rains in early March provided a welcome relief particularly for the maize crop. The outlook for harvest is favourable. Total area planted to maize is estimated at 3.361 million hectares, up from 3.307 million hectares in 1996. However, as a result of the anticipated impact on yields of the recent dry spell, output is forecast at some 7.7 million tons, compared to nearly 10 million tons in 1996.
This would still be sufficient to cover the country's domestic requirements. Soybean production is forecast at 80 000 tons this season compared to 50 000 tons in 1996. More land was planted this year to soybean compared to sunflower seed of which production is expected to drop to 550 000 tons from 720 000 tons last year.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
1 835 |
3 |
8 830 |
10 668 |
|
Normal Exports |
434 |
367 |
1 717 |
2 518 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
2 405 |
105 |
8 933 |
11 443 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
2 205 |
3 |
8 628 |
10 836 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
2 205 |
2 |
8 628 |
10 835 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
200 |
103 |
305 |
608 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
2 705 |
605 |
9 243 |
12 553 |
|
Food Use |
2 400 |
595 |
4 396 |
7 391 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
155 |
10 |
4 197 |
4 362 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
150 |
- |
650 |
800 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
300 |
500 |
310 |
1 110 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
300 |
500 |
310 |
1 110 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
55 |
14 |
102 |
171 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
102 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
- |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |