FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 ZAMBIA 47

ZAMBIA

Area:

741 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: November-April

Population:

10.44 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 380 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Imports through Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); inadequate rail and road connections

Major foodcrops:

Maize, roots, tubers

Marketing year:

May/April; Lean season: March-May

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

70 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvesting of the 1999 coarse grains, mainly maize, is completed. The output has recovered from the poor crop of last year. Maize production is estimated at a normal to above-normal level of 1 million tonnes, which is 82 percent higher than in 1998. Abundant rains during the growing season, particularly in southern areas, resulted in localized floods and crop losses but overall benefited crop development. However, in northern areas late and erratic rains have resulted in reduced yields in parts. Production of other basic staples, mainly cassava, is also good this season.

The food supply has eased with the arrival of the new harvest into the markets. Prices of maize are declining and are below their level of a year ago. Maize import requirements in marketing year 1999/2000 (April/March) are forecast to decline sharply from the previous year to about 250 000 tonnes.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production 53 14 1 348 1 415

Normal Imports 35 4 65 104

of which: Structural food aid 25 - 45 70

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 80 4 1 086 1 170

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 70 6 1 086 1 162

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 70 4 1 086 1 160

Possible stock drawdown 10 - - 10

1999/2000 Utilization 121 27 1 336 1 484

Food Use 117 25 1 136 1 278

of which: local purchase requirement - - 1 1

Non-food use 4 2 190 196

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - 10 10

1999/2000 Import Requirement 41 23 250 314

Anticipated commercial imports 41 22 250 313

Food aid needs - 1 - 1

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - 2 2

of which: Delivered - - 2 2

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 11 2 109 122

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 82

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 302

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: 1

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	741 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: November-April
Population:	10.44 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 380 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	Imports through Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); inadequate rail and road connections
Major foodcrops:	Maize, roots, tubers
Marketing year:	May/April; Lean season: March-May
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	70 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	53	14	1 348	1 415
Normal Imports	35	4	65	104
of which: Structural food aid	25	-	45	70
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	80	4	1 086	1 170
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	70	6	1 086	1 162
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	70	4	1 086	1 160
Possible stock drawdown	10	-	-	10
1999/2000 Utilization	121	27	1 336	1 484
Food Use	117	25	1 136	1 278
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	1	1
Non-food use	4	2	190	196
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	10	10
1999/2000 Import Requirement	41	23	250	314
Anticipated commercial imports	41	22	250	313
Food aid needs	-	1	-	1
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	2	2
of which: Delivered	-	-	2	2
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	11	2	109	122
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				82
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				302
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				1