FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 02/97

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SWAZILAND

Area:

17 000 sq.km

Climate:

Highland rainy climate. One rainy season (October-April); cool temperatures in May-

September


Population:

0.88 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 1 050 (1993)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa

Major foodcrops:

Maize

Marketing year:

May/April; Lean season: February-April

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

55 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

Planting of the 1996/97 coarse grain, mostly maize, is now complete. Widespread rainfall received in late October and November favoured seeding. Most of the early planted crop is now at late vegetative to tasseling stages. Dry condition persists since late January and more rains are needed for normal crop development.

The final official estimates of 1996 maize production is 135 600 tons, much higher than the earlier figure of 108 000 tons. As a result of the improved domestic supply situation, the cereal import requirement is estimated at a reduced level of 38 000 tons, which can be readily met by commercial channels.

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

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production (rice in paddy terms)

1

3

116

120

Normal Imports

25

2

20

47

of which: Structural food aid

8

-

1

9

1996/97 Domestic Availability

3

1

137

141

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

1

137

138

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

1

137

138

Possible stock drawdown

3

-

-

3

1996/97 Utilization

28

4

147

179

Food Use

28

4

93

125

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

-

-

20

20

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

2

2

Possible stock build up

-

-

32

32

1996/97 Import Requirement

25

3

10

38

Anticipated commercial imports

25

3

4

32

Food aid needs

-

-

6

6

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

-

-

6

6

of which: Delivered

-

-

6

6

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

32

5

106

142

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




115

1996/97 import requirement as % of normal:




81

1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal:




67


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