| Area: | 30 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate with mild winter. One rainy season Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard |
| Population: | 2.18 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 670 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked |
| Logistics: | All imports through South Africa |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, sorghum, vegetables |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 75 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Normal rains in early October that encouraged land preparation and early sowing of the 1998/99 coarse grain crop were followed by below-normal precipitation towards the end of the month. The 1998 production of coarse grains has been officially revised upwards to about 141 000 tonnes, some 9 percent lower than the previous year and 16 percent below average. The output of wheat now stands at 27 000 tonnes, which is much above the initial estimates and above average.
Reflecting the revised estimates of the 1998 crop, cereal imports in the year ending March 1999 are estimated at some 188 000 tonnes, which is close to the previous year’s requirements. Food aid pledges at the end of October amounted to 6 000 tonnes, all delivered.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 23 | - | 155 | 178 |
| Normal Imports | 55 | 10 | 150 | 215 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 15 | 2 | 20 | 37 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 29 | - | 172 | 201 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 27 | - | 141 | 168 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 27 | - | 141 | 168 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 2 | - | 31 | 33 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 69 | 3 | 317 | 389 |
| Food Use | 68 | 3 | 301 | 372 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 16 | 17 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 40 | 3 | 145 | 188 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 40 | 3 | 145 | 188 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 31 | 1 | 138 | 170 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 94 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 87 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
