FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 MALAWI 27

MALAWI

Area:

94 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: November-May

Population

12.58 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 220 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country; importer and exporter of grain

Logistics:

Imports/exports through Beira (Mozambique) or Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

Major foodcrops:

Maize, pulses, roots, tubers, rice

Marketing year:

April/March; Lean season: February-March

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

70 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

A bumper 1999 cereal crop has been harvested. This reflects generally abundant rains during the season, particularly in southern areas. In northern parts, despite a delay in the rainy season, precipitation was above average allowing some recovery of crops. Improved input availability also contributed to a sharp increase in yields.

Latest official forecast indicate a maize crop close to 2.4 million tonnes, one-third higher than last year's normal level. Cassava output is expected to increase by 12 percent to 944 000 tonnes. Production of other cereal and non-cereal crops is also anticipated to be good.

The country, which has been importing maize in recent years, is expected to have some 400 000 tonnes of exportable maize surpluses in marketing year 1999/2000 (April/March).

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production 2 35 1 330 1 367

Normal Imports 40 3 40 83

of which: Structural food aid - - 40 40

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 2 56 2 438 2 496

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 2 87 2 438 2 527

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 2 56 2 438 2 496

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

1999/2000 Utilization 54 56 2 438 2 548

Food Use 54 45 1 848 1 947

of which: local purchase requirement - - 1 1

Non-food use - 8 170 178

Exports or Re-exports - 1 400 401

Possible stock build up - 2 20 22

1999/2000 Import Requirement 52 - - 52

Anticipated commercial imports 52 - - 52

Food aid needs - - - -

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - 14 14

of which: Delivered - - 14 14

Donor-financed purchases - - 1 1

of which: for local use - - 1 1

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 4 4 147 155

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 185

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 63

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: -

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	94 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: November-May
Population	12.58 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 220 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country; importer and exporter of grain
Logistics:	Imports/exports through Beira (Mozambique) or Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
Major foodcrops:	Maize, pulses, roots, tubers, rice
Marketing year:	April/March; Lean season: February-March
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	70 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	2	35	1 330	1 367
Normal Imports	40	3	40	83
of which: Structural food aid	-	-	40	40
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	2	56	2 438	2 496
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	2	87	2 438	2 527
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	2	56	2 438	2 496
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Utilization	54	56	2 438	2 548
Food Use	54	45	1 848	1 947
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	1	1
Non-food use	-	8	170	178
Exports or Re-exports	-	1	400	401
Possible stock build up	-	2	20	22
1999/2000 Import Requirement	52	-	-	52
Anticipated commercial imports	52	-	-	52
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	14	14
of which: Delivered	-	-	14	14
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	1	1
of which: for local use	-	-	1	1
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	4	4	147	155
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				185
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				63
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-