| Area: | 741 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry, one rainy season (November-April) |
| Population: | 9.20 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 370 (1993) |
| 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
Only light rains were received in most parts of the country during the third dekad of October. Little rain was recorded during the first dekad of November but widespread rainfall has reached most of the country since mid-November. Cumulative rainfall so far has been normal to above normal throughout the country, except in eastern areas. This favoured continued coarse grain plantings in December.
The Government’s emergency seed supply programme has started but sed distribution appears to be delayed in some areas, including the Zambezi district.
The food security situation remains very tight as commercial imports remain small. To meet the food relief requirement, estimated by the government at 88 000 tons, pledges by donors stand at 76 000 tons and deliveries at 37 000 tons.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 53 | 9 | 1 348 | 1 410 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 35 | 4 | 65 | 104 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 25 | - | 45 | 70 |
| 1995/96 Domestic availability | 50 | 12 | 842 | 904 |
| 1995 Production | 50 | 12 | 820 | 882 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 22 | 22 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 95 | 21 | 1 365 | 1 481 |
| Food use | 90 | 19 | 1 175 | 1 284 |
| of which: local purchase requirements | - | - | (20) | (20) |
| Non-food use | 5 | 2 | 190 | 197 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 45 | 9 | 523 | 577 1/ |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 45 | 9 | 435 | 489 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 88 | 88 |
| of which: Emergency | - | - | 88 | 88 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 76 | 76 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 37 | 37 |
| Donor-financed local purchases | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 10 | 2 | 135 | 147 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 63 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | 555 | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 126 | |||
1/ Excluding food assistance required for refugees.