| Area: | 1.22 million sq.km |
| Climate: | Sub-tropical with rains concentrated in the summer months (November-April); occasional snow in winter over higher parts of plateau and Cape ranges; an average of 120 days frost in the interior plateau |
| Population: | 43.34 million (1997 estimate); GNP per caput U.S.$ 3 160 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Normally net food exporter, notably maize |
| Logistics: | Adequate port, rail and road facilities |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, wheat |
| Marketing year: | May/April; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 54 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The negative impact of El Niño has been less than earlier anticipated. The latest official estimate of maize production point to an output of 7.73 million tonnes, lower than both last year and average but slightly better than the previous estimates of the season’s outcome. In several areas, particularly in the North West Province, the late planted crop has progressed better than expected as a result of favourable weather in March and May. Particularly beneficial have been late rains and generally warm days in May with no serious cold or frost affecting crops. The late rains have also improved the prospects for the winter wheat recently planted. However, the output from the wheat crop, to be harvested towards the end of the year, could be affected by lower plantings resulting from low market prices.
The reduced 1998 harvest in South Africa is unlikely to limit the exportable surpluses in maize to the deficit countries in the sub-region.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 1 835 | 3 | 8 830 | 10 668 |
| Normal Exports | 434 | 367 | 1 717 | 2 518 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 2 625 | 62 | 8 594 | 11 281 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 2 625 | 3 | 8 399 | 11 027 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 2 625 | 2 | 8 399 | 11 026 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 60 | 195 | 255 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 3 125 | 509 | 9 316 | 12 950 |
| Food Use | 2 465 | 459 | 4 518 | 7 442 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 190 | 50 | 4 098 | 4 338 |
| Exports or Re-exports | 470 | - | 700 | 1 170 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 500 | 447 | 722 | 1 669 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 500 | 447 | 722 | 1 669 |
| 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) | 56 | 10 | 102 | 168 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 103 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
