| Area: | 567 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb. |
| Population: | 1.58 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 3 020 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west |
| Logistics: | Imports through South Africa |
| Major foodcrops: | Sorghum, pulses, vegetables |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: January/March |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 55 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Harvesting of the 1998 cereal crop is complete and production is expected to be below average. Erratic and poorly distributed rainfall in March and April seriously affected yields in several parts of the country, leading to a major crop loss. Total cereal output is not expected to exceed 9 000 tonnes, a sharp drop compared to the 1997 below average crop of 28 000 tonnes. Even in good years, the country imports over half of its cereal needs. It is therefore anticipated that available grain stocks and planned imports by major commercial millers will meet national requirements during the 1998/99 marketing year.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 1 | - | 59 | 60 |
| Normal Imports | 60 | 8 | 116 | 184 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 1 | - | 9 | 9 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 66 | - | 199 | 265 |
| Food Use | 66 | - | 195 | 261 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 66 | - | 190 | 256 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 66 | - | 190 | 256 |
| 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) | 43 | - | 126 | 169 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 40 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 128 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
