| 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: | 2.16 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 770 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked |
| 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 during much of the 1997/98 cropping season has been erratic and poorly distributed. As a result, cereal production is estimated at about 93 000 tonnes, which is below average. Consequently, the overall food supply situation during the 1998/99 marketing year is expected to be tight. Much of the cereal import is expected to be through commercial channels, but Government arrangements for a large amount of imports will need to be made to avoid food difficulties.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 23 | - | 155 | 178 |
| Normal Imports | 55 | 10 | 150 | 215 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 15 | 2 | 20 | 37 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 13 | - | 118 | 131 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 10 | - | 83 | 93 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 10 | - | 83 | 93 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 3 | - | 35 | 38 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 73 | 3 | 318 | 394 |
| Food Use | 72 | 3 | 299 | 374 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 19 | 20 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 60 | 3 | 200 | 263 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 60 | 3 | 170 | 233 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 30 | 30 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 6 | - | - | 6 |
| of which: Delivered | 6 | - | - | 6 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 33 | 1 | 137 | 171 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 52 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 122 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 81 |
