|
Area: |
387 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Centre and north-east tropical wet-dry; south and west semi-arid. One rainy season |
|
(November-March) |
|
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Population: |
11.83 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 540 (1995) |
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Specific characteristics of the country: |
Land-locked country; exporter and importer of grain |
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Logistics: |
Exports and imports through Mozambique or South Africa |
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Major foodcrops: |
Maize, wheat, millet, sorghum |
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Marketing year: |
April/March; Lean season: February-April |
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
66 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Following widespread and regular rainfall since December in most growing areas, another good cereal harvest is anticipated this year as in 1996. However, several weeks of continued rains in January and February resulted in flooding, mainly in the Zambezi Valley, with damage to property and livestock. The heavy rains may also reduce crop yields and the projected bumper maize harvest as crops suffered from water-logging and soil leaching.
The abundant rainfall, however, replenished several large reservoirs for the first time in many years. As a result, the upcoming winter wheat crop is expected to reach record levels and thus exceed the 1996 crop which was already triple the previous year. This assumes that the government will succeed, during the coming months, in restoring wheat growers confidence following marketing problems experienced last year, including delays in getting export licences.
The national food supply situation for the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to be satisfactory following a good crop in two consecutive years.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
240 |
4 |
1 880 |
2 124 |
|
Normal Imports |
55 |
20 |
- |
75 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
400 |
- |
2 515 |
2 915 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
400 |
- |
2 515 |
2 915 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
400 |
- |
2 515 |
2 915 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
445 |
20 |
2 515 |
2 980 |
|
Food Use |
335 |
20 |
1 749 |
2 104 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
20 |
- |
641 |
661 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
60 |
- |
125 |
185 |
|
Possible stock build up |
30 |
- |
- |
30 |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
45 |
20 |
- |
65 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
45 |
20 |
- |
65 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
5 |
- |
3 |
8 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
28 |
2 |
148 |
178 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
137 |
|||
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1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
87 |
|||
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1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |