| Area: | 17 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate. One rainy season (October-April); cool temperatures in May- September |
| Population: | 0.904 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 1 170 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize |
| Marketing year: | May/April; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 55 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The recently harvested 1998 cereal crop, mostly maize, is estimated at about 108 000 tonnes. This is above average as a result of favourable weather conditions during much of the season. As a consequence, the overall food supply situation in the 1998/99 marketing year is expected to be satisfactory and most of the food import needs are expected to be met through commercial channels.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 1 | 3 | 116 | 120 |
| Normal Imports | 25 | 2 | 20 | 47 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 8 | - | 1 | 9 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | - | 2 | 105 | 107 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 3 | 105 | 108 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 2 | 105 | 107 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 40 | 10 | 120 | 170 |
| Food Use | 38 | 10 | 99 | 147 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | 2 | - | 1 | 3 |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 40 | 8 | 15 | 63 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 40 | 8 | 15 | 63 |
| 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) | 41 | 11 | 106 | 158 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 90 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 134 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
