| Area: | 824 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April |
| Population: | 1.5 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 1 660 (1993) |
| 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
In the flood plain areas of Caprivi, maize is reported to be in good condition. Elsewhere, hot and dry conditions have prevailed so far, with only a few light showers reported in some northern, eastern and southern parts of the country. In general, seasonal rainfall has been much below normal in virtually all parts of the country, delaying planting of cereals.
Harvesting of the irrigated winter wheat is underway; average to above-average yields are expected but planted area was sharply reduced due to shortage of irrigation water. Provisionally, an output of 3 000 tons is expected, which is less than half of last year's good crop of 6 300 tons.
The overall food supply situation for 1995/96 remains satisfactory and import requirements are expected to be met largely by the commercial sector. Nevertheless, some 163 000 drought-affected rural people require food relief of some 2 250 tons each month. A large part of this food is being provided by the Government Drought Relief Programme with the support of donors.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 4 | - | 88 | 92 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 30 | - | 31 | 61 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | - | 2 | 3 |
| 1995/96 Domestic availability | 3 | - | 72 | 75 |
| 1995 Production | 3 | - | 56 | 59 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 16 | 16 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 51 | - | 166 | 217 |
| Food use | 48 | - | 162 | 210 |
| Non-food use | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| Possible stock build-up | 3 | - | - | 3 |
| 1995 Import Requirement | 48 | - | 94 | 142 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 48 | - | 94 | 142 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 1 | - | 10 | 11 |
| of which: Delivered | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 32 | - | 103 | 135 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 64 | |||
| 1996 import requirement as % of normal: | 233 | |||
| 1996 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | - | |||