| Area: | 387 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Centre and north-east tropical wet-dry; south and west semi-arid. One rainy season |
| (November-March) | |
| Population: | 11.83 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 540 (1995) |
| 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
Official estimates of the 1998 maize harvest have recently been revised upward to 1.47 million tonnes. Total cereal output now stands at about 1.84 million tonnes. This is still below both last year and average, but much better than anticipated at the beginning of the season, on account of erratic rainfall induced by the El Niño phenomenon. Total cereal output is expected to be about 1.8 million tonnes, compared to over 2.7 million tonnes in 1997.
The national food supply situation in 1998/99 marketing year is expected to remain relatively tight. With a relatively small carryover stock available to help cushion the impact of the drop in output, large imports of maize and wheat are anticipated. Targeted food assistance will also be required, particularly for vulnerable groups in the southern traditionally dry areas. The Government reports that some 1.2 million people have registered so far for food assistance under a grain loan scheme.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 240 | 4 | 1 880 | 2 124 |
| Normal Imports | 55 | 20 | - | 75 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 250 | - | 1 609 | 1 859 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 250 | - | 1 589 | 1 839 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 250 | - | 1 589 | 1 839 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 400 | 25 | 2 259 | 2 684 |
| Food Use | 345 | 25 | 1 733 | 2 103 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 15 | - | 476 | 491 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 50 | 50 |
| Possible stock build up | 40 | - | - | 40 |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 150 | 25 | 650 | 825 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 150 | 25 | 650 | 825 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 78 | - | 2 | 80 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 29 | 2 | 145 | 176 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 87 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 1100 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
