FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 BOTSWANA 3

BOTSWANA

Area:

567 000 sq.km

Climate:

South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.

Population:

1.585 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 020 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west

Logistics:

Imports through South Africa

Major foodcrops:

Sorghum, pulses, vegetables

Marketing year:

April/March; Lean season: January/March

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

55 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvesting of 1999 coarse grains is completed. Prospects are unfavourable. Abundant rains at the beginning of the season allowed an expansion in area planted to cereals and benefited crop establishment. However, a dry spell and high temperatures in February, followed by irregular and below-average precipitation negatively affected crops. Preliminary estimates indicate an output above the poor crop in 1998, but still below average.

Despite the reduced harvest, the overall food supply situation is anticipated to remain stable in 1999/2000 (April/March) reflecting the country's import capacity.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production 1 - 59 60

Normal Imports 60 8 116 184

of which: Structural food aid - - 20 20

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 2 - 24 26

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - - 24 24

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 24 24

Possible stock drawdown 2 - - 2

1999/2000 Utilization 67 - 204 271

Food Use 67 - 200 267

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - - 4 4

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999/2000 Import Requirement 65 - 180 245

Anticipated commercial imports 65 - 180 245

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) 42 - 126 169

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 40

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 133

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

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	567 000 sq.km
Climate:	South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.
Population:	1.585 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 020 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:	east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west
Logistics:	Imports through South Africa
Major foodcrops:	Sorghum, pulses, vegetables
Marketing year:	April/March; Lean season: January/March
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	55 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	1	-	59	60
Normal Imports	60	8	116	184
of which: Structural food aid	-	-	20	20
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	2	-	24	26
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	24	24
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	24	24
Possible stock drawdown	2	-	-	2
1999/2000 Utilization	67	-	204	271
Food Use	67	-	200	267
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	4	4
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Import Requirement	65	-	180	245
Anticipated commercial imports	65	-	180	245
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)	42	-	126	169
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				40
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				133
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-