|
Area: |
387 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Centre and north-east tropical wet-dry; south and west semi-arid. One rainy season |
|
(November-March) |
|
|
Population: |
11.26 million (1996 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
Planting of the 1996/97 coarse grain crops, mostly maize, is now complete. Widespread rains since late October and early November favoured large plantings of crops, not at late vegetative to tasseling stages. However continuing heavy rains may negatively affect crop yields. Harvesting of the winter wheat is complete. The output is estimated at 300 000 tons, which is above-average and should cover most of the country’s needs. The government has launched intensive control measures early in the season against red locusts to restrict damage.
Reflecting the above-average cereal crop in 1996, the national food supply situation is satisfactory. The Grain Marketing Board, which has a monopoly on maize exports, plans to export 295 000 tons of maize and to build up the Strategic Grain Reserve to a targeted level of 600 000 tons. Maize exports amount so far to some 129 000 tons destined mostly for Japan, Venezuela, and Angola.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
240 |
4 |
1 880 |
2 124 |
|
Normal Imports |
55 |
20 |
- |
75 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
300 |
- |
2 731 |
3 031 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
300 |
- |
2 731 |
3 031 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
300 |
- |
2 731 |
3 031 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
345 |
20 |
2 731 |
3 096 |
|
Food Use |
320 |
15 |
1 590 |
1 925 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
15 |
- |
671 |
686 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
295 |
295 |
|
Possible stock build up |
10 |
5 |
175 |
190 |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
45 |
20 |
- |
65 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
45 |
20 |
- |
65 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
5 |
- |
3 |
8 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donor-financed purchases for export |
- |
- |
18 |
18 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
29 |
1 |
141 |
171 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
143 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
87 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |