FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 SOUTH AFRICA 41

SOUTH AFRICA

Area:

1.22 million sq.km

Climate:

Sub-tropical with rains concentrated in the summer months (November-April); occasional snow in winter over higher parts of plateau and Cape ranges; an average of 120 days frost in the interior plateau

Population:

45.28 million (1999 estimate); GNP per caput US$ 3 400 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Normally net food exporter, notably maize

Logistics:

Adequate port, rail and road facilities

Major foodcrops:

Maize, wheat

Marketing year:

May/April; Lean season: February-April

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

54 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvesting of 1999 coarse grains is completed. Official estimates indicate maize production at 6.8 million tonnes, some 16 percent lower than last year and below average. Rains during the season were abundant but irregular. Heavy rains and floods in mid- February coupled with a dry spell in late February/early March negatively affected yields. The decline in production also reflects a slight reduction in the area planted, due to diversion of land to the more profitable sunflower, production of which is estimated at 945 000 tonnes.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - - - -

Normal Imports - - - -

of which: Structural food aid - - - -

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 1 320 2 7 192 8 514

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 1 300 3 6 807 8 110

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 1 300 2 6 807 8 109

Possible stock drawdown 20 - 385 405

1999/2000 Utilization 2 720 449 8 293 11 462

Food Use 2 538 399 4 611 7 548

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 102 50 3 502 3 654

Exports or Re-exports 80 - 180 260

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999/2000 Import Requirement 1 400 447 1 101 2 948

Anticipated commercial imports 1 400 447 1 101 2 948

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) 56 9 102 167

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 76

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 117

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	1.22 million sq.km
Climate:	Sub-tropical with rains concentrated in the summer months (November-April); occasional snow in winter over higher parts of plateau and Cape ranges; an average of 120 days frost in the interior plateau
Population:	45.28 million (1999 estimate); GNP per caput US$ 3 400 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Normally net food exporter, notably maize
Logistics:	Adequate port, rail and road facilities
Major foodcrops:	Maize, wheat
Marketing year:	May/April; Lean season: February-April
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	54 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	-	-	-
Normal Imports	-	-	-	-
of which: Structural food aid	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	1 320	2	7 192	8 514
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	1 300	3	6 807	8 110
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	1 300	2	6 807	8 109
Possible stock drawdown	20	-	385	405
1999/2000 Utilization	2 720	449	8 293	11 462
Food Use	2 538	399	4 611	7 548
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	102	50	3 502	3 654
Exports or Re-exports	80	-	180	260
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Import Requirement	1 400	447	1 101	2 948
Anticipated commercial imports	1 400	447	1 101	2 948
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)	56	9	102	167
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				76
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				117
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: