FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 LESOTHO 24

LESOTHO

Area:

30 000 sq.km

Climate:

Highland rainy climate with mild winter. Rainy season: Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard

Population:

2.24 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 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

Harvesting of 1999 cereal crops is completed. Abundant rains from October to January pointed to a marked recovery in cereal production this year. However, below-average precipitation and high temperatures from February to mid-April, mainly in March at the critical growth stage, negatively affected crops. Favourable rains from late April could not prevent a reduction in yields, particularly of maize. As a result, cereal production is preliminarily estimated to be below average though higher than the reduced harvest last year.

The food supply situation is satisfactory following adequate commercial imports in 1998/99, estimated at 109 000 tonnes of maize and 47 000 tonnes of wheat.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

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

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 30 - 156 186

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 27 - 150 177

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 27 - 150 177

Possible stock drawdown 3 - 6 9

1999/2000 Utilization 75 3 306 384

Food Use 74 3 287 364

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 - 19 20

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999/2000 Import Requirement 45 3 150 198

Anticipated commercial imports 45 3 140 188

Food aid needs - - 10 10

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) 33 1 128 163

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 99

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 92

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: 27

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	30 000 sq.km
Climate:	Highland rainy climate with mild winter. Rainy season: Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard
Population:	2.24 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 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

	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
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	30	-	156	186
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	27	-	150	177
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	27	-	150	177
Possible stock drawdown	3	-	6	9
1999/2000 Utilization	75	3	306	384
Food Use	74	3	287	364
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	-	19	20
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Import Requirement	45	3	150	198
Anticipated commercial imports	45	3	140	188
Food aid needs	-	-	10	10
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)	33	1	128	163
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				99
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				92
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				27