BACKGROUND INFORMATION
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.$ 700 (1994)
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
Revised official estimates of the 1995/96 cereal production point to an output of 242 000 tons, which is well above average and three times higher than last year’s crop. The output of maize is estimated at a record 199 000 tons. Sorghum and wheat also performed well this year.
The food supply situation for the 1996/97 marketing year is expected to improve substantially due to the sharp increase in production. Cereal imports should be significantly lower than initially anticipated. Planned commercial imports and relief assistance committed by donors may cover most of the country’s food needs. Food aid pledges and deliveries amount to 41 000 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 | 25 | - | 222 | 247 |
| 1996 Production | 20 | - | 222 | 242 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1996/97 Utilization | 81 | - | 315 | 396 |
| Food use | 78 | - | 293 | 371 |
| of which: Local purchase requirement | (-) | (-) | (2) | (2) |
| Non-food use | 3 | - | 22 | 25 |
| 1996/97 Import Requirement | 56 | - | 93 | 149 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 46 | - | 53 | 99 |
| Food aid needs | 10 | - | 40 | 50 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 41 | 41 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 41 | 41 |
| Donor-financed local purchases | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 37 | - | 139 | 176 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1996 production as % of normal: | 136 | |||
| 1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: | 72 | |||
| 1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 143 | |||