FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 05/97

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ZAMBIA

Area:

741 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry, one rainy season (November-April)

Population:

10.041 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 400 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Imports through Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); inadequate rail and road connections

Major foodcrops:

Maize, roots, tubers

Marketing year:

May/April; Lean season: March-May

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

70 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

Moderate to heavy rains in most areas of the country in February, generally benefited coarse grains. However, excessive rainfall caused waterlogging, floods and leaching of soil nutrients in parts of southern and central provinces. Yellowing of crops was observed in some areas, especially in central province where crop yields initially anticipated to be high may be reduced to average. Maize is at tasselling to flowering stages in the western half of the country and reported to be in good condition. In north-eastern areas, the crop is at vegetative to tasselling stage. Overall, maize harvest is expected to be above average as in the previous year.

The national food supply situation is expected to be satisfactory for the 1997/98 marketing year. However, with the arrival during the lean period of many refugees from neighbouring Zaire, estimated by the government in early March at some 6 000 people, mostly along the Tanganyika lake, there will be need for emergency food assistance for the affected people in these areas.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1997/98 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)


Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production (rice in paddy terms)

53

14

1 348

1 415

Normal Imports

35

4

65

104

of which: Structural food aid

25

-

45

70

1997/98 Domestic Availability

60

10

1 480

1 550

1997 Production (rice in paddy terms)

60

15

1 480

1 555

1997 Production (rice in milled terms)

60

10

1 480

1 550

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1997/98 Utilization

105

15

1 480

1 600

Food Use

100

13

1 285

1 398

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

5

2

195

202

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1997/98 Import Requirement

45

5

-

50

Anticipated commercial imports

45

5

-

50

Food aid needs

-

-

-

-

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

-

-

5

5

of which: Delivered

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

10

1

128

139

Indexes





1997 production as % of normal:




110

1997/98 import requirement as % of normal:




48

1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal:




-


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