| Area: | 387 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Centre and north-east tropical wet-dry; south and west semi-arid. One rainy season |
| (November-March) | |
| Population: | 11.0 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 540 (1993) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Land-locked country; exporter and importer of grain |
| Logistics: | Exports and imports through Mozambique or South Africa |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, wheat, millet, sorghum |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 66 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The first rains of the 1995/96 season were received in mid-October but were not sufficient for farmers to begin planting in most parts of the country. The rains intensified in mid November and were fairly widespread through December, becoming heavy especially in northern districts. The rains have allowed land preparation and plantings of the major summer crops although some early planted maize crops were adversely affected by the dry conditions in November and had to be replanted. Little rain was recorded in late December and early January but the overall forecast for rainfall remains positive.
The food supply position of the country remains relatively tight following the poor harvest of the 1994/95 season, but large cereal stocks have lessened the country's need to import grain this year. Almost 6 million people or three-quarters of the population have applied for assistance under the Grain Loan Scheme for the period July 1995 to February 1996. At the end of the second phase in early November, some 200 000 tons of grain had been distributed and 246 000 tons more are planned for distribution by February 1996.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 240 | 3 | 1 880 | 2 123 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 55 | 20 | - | 75 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1995/96 Domestic availability | 84 | 5 | 1 564 | 1 653 |
| 1995 Production | 84 | - | 906 | 990 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 5 | 658 | 663 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 284 | 15 | 2 014 | 2 313 |
| Food use | 271 | 15 | 1 482 | 1 768 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Non-food use | 13 | - | 466 | 479 |
| Exports | - | - | 66 | 66 |
| 1995 Import Requirement | 200 | 10 | 450 | 660 1/ |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 200 | 10 | 450 | 660 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 26 | 26 |
| of which: for export | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| for local purhcases | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 25 | 1 | 135 | 161 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 47 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | - | |||
1/ Excluding food assistance for refugees.