FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 NAMIBIA 32

NAMIBIA

Area:

823 000 sq.km

Climate:

Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April

Population:

1.81 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 2 220 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Arid to semi-arid country; cereal production mainly in the north

Logistics:

Good road and railway network

Major foodcrops:

Millet, maize, sorghum, wheat

Marketing year:

May/April;

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

48 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvesting of the 1999 coarse grains is completed. Provisional forecasts point to an output 25 percent higher than last year's poor level but still below average. Output of millet and sorghum is forecast to double to 60 000 tonnes but that of maize, at 7 000 tonnes, is just half that of 1998. The area planted and yields were affected by erratic and poorly distributed rains from the beginning of the season. Prolonged dry spells and high temperatures in January, February and March lowered yields.

The tight food supply situation, following the drought-reduced 1998 cereal crop, has eased somewhat with the arrival of the new harvest. Cereal import requirements are forecast to decline to some 142 000 tonnes in the 1999/2000 marketing year (May/April).

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production 4 - 88 92

Normal Imports 30 - 31 61

of which: Structural food aid 1 - 2 3

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 5 - 69 74

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 5 - 67 72

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 5 - 67 72

Possible stock drawdown - - 2 2

1999/2000 Utilization 47 - 169 216

Food Use 47 - 157 204

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - - 12 12

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999/2000 Import Requirement 42 - 100 142

Anticipated commercial imports 42 - 100 142

Food aid needs - - - -

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - - -

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 26 - 87 113

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 78

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 233

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

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999


Area:		823 000 sq.km
Climate:	Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April
Population:		1.81 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 2 220 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:		Arid to semi-arid country; cereal production mainly in the north
Logistics:		Good road and railway network
Major foodcrops:		Millet, maize, sorghum, wheat
Marketing year:		May/April;
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:		48 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	4	-	88	92
Normal Imports	30	-	31	61
of which: Structural food aid	1	-	2	3
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	5	-	69	74
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	5	-	67	72
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	5	-	67	72
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	2	2
1999/2000 Utilization	47	-	169	216
Food Use	47	-	157	204
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	12	12
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Import Requirement	42	-	100	142
Anticipated commercial imports	42	-	100	142
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	26	-	87	113
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				78
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				233
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-