| Area: | 824 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April |
| Population: | 1.69 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 2 000 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Arid to semi-arid country; cereal production mainly in the north |
| Logistics: | Good road and railway network |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet, maize, sorghum, wheat |
| Marketing year: | May/April; |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 48 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The 1998 production of cereals is officially estimated at 59 000 tonnnes. This is well below normal as a consequence of erratic rainfall with prolonged dry spells in March/April. These caused widespread crop failures in the northeastern part of the country, particularly the Caprivi and Kavango regions where many subsistence farmers could not even plant any staple foodcrops this year. The national food supply situation is expected to be tight during the 1998/99 marketing year. Although carryover stocks from last year’s bumper harvest will help cushion the impact of the anticipated food shortage, large quantities of cereals will have to be imported in the coming months, primarily through commercial channels. The Government has recently approved a national drought strategy, which includes the setting up of a permanent national drought fund in order to find ways to ensure household food security, particularly for vulnerable groups.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 4 | - | 88 | 92 |
| Normal Imports | 30 | - | 31 | 61 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | - | 2 | 3 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 16 | - | 69 | 85 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 6 | - | 53 | 59 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 6 | - | 53 | 59 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 10 | - | 16 | 26 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 51 | - | 189 | 240 |
| Food Use | 51 | - | 180 | 231 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 35 | - | 120 | 155 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 35 | - | 120 | 155 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | - | - |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 29 | - | 103 | 132 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 64 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 254 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
