Africa report 05/96 Individual countries

LESOTHO

Area:	30 000 sq.km
Climate:	Highland rainy climate with mild winter. One rainy season Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard
Population:	2.05 million (excluding migrant labour force)(1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 660 (1993)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	All imports through South Africa
Major foodcrops:	Maize, sorghum, vegetables
Marketing year:	April/March; Lean season: February-April
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	75 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Rainfall has been abundant, above normal and well distributed this year leading to a substantial increase in area planted. Crops are generally reported to be in good condition. The current forecast points to an above-average maize harvest, nearly double last year’s output of 72 000 tons.Reflecting good harvest prospects and reduced cereal import requirements, the food supply situation for the 1996/97 marketing year is expected to be eased substantially. Food aid pledges during the 1995/96 marketing year, amounting to 61 500 tons, were all delivered. Progress of the Drought Relief Programme is reported to be adequate but distribution has been constrained by heavy rains which restricted access to some rural areas and increased the need for storage.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1996/97 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal production	23	-	155	178
Normal imports (incl. re-exports)	55	1	150	206
of which: Structural food aid	15	-	20	35
1996/97 Domestic availability	16	-	167	183
1996 Production	11	-	161	172
Possible stock drawdown	5	-	6	11
1996/97 Utilization	76	-	320	396
Food use	75	-	300	375
Non-food use	1	-	20	21
1996/97 Import Requirement	60	-	153	213
Anticipated commercial imports	50	-	128	178
Food aid needs	10	-	25	35
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year)	40	-	138	178
Indexes
1996 production as % of normal:				97
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal:				103
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs):				100

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996