FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 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$ 570 (1998)

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 to above-normal rains in February and March improved growing conditions for the 2000 cereal crops to be harvested from May. However, the outlook is uncertain. Crops have been affected by a prolonged dry spell at the beginning of the season and by heavy rains and floods in early December, particularly in the lowlands. In these areas, maize production is expected to be reduced.

The overall food supply situation remains satisfactory, reflecting adequate commercial imports so far.

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 24 - 158 182

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 14 - 158 172

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 14 - 158 172

Possible stock drawdown 10 - - 10

1999/2000 Utilization 69 3 313 385

Food Use 68 3 293 364

of which: local purchase requirement - - 1 1

Non-food use 1 - 18 19

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - 2 2

1999/2000 Import Requirement 45 3 155 203

Anticipated commercial imports 45 3 132 180

Food aid needs - - 23 23

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - 3 3

of which: Delivered - - 3 3

Donor-financed purchases - - 1 1

of which: for local use - - 1 1

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 32 1 139 173

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 97

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 94

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: 62

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

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$ 570 (1998)
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	24	-	158	182
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	14	-	158	172
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	14	-	158	172
Possible stock drawdown	10	-	-	10
1999/2000 Utilization	69	3	313	385
Food Use	68	3	293	364
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	1	1
Non-food use	1	-	18	19
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	2	2
1999/2000 Import Requirement	45	3	155	203
Anticipated commercial imports	45	3	132	180
Food aid needs	-	-	23	23
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	3	3
of which: Delivered	-	-	3	3
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	1	1
of which: for local use	-	-	1	1
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	32	1	139	173
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				97
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				94
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				62