FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 NAMIBIA 32

NAMIBIA

Area:

823 000 sq.km

Climate

Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April

Population:

1.81 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 1 940 (1998)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Arid to semi-arid country; cereal production mainly in the north

Logistics:

Good road and railway network

Major foodcrops:

Millet, maize, sorghum, wheat

Marketing year:

May/April;

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

48 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Prospects for the 2000 cereal crops, mainly sorghum, have deteriorated. Heavy rains in mid-February in the major northern growing areas have been followed by below average precipitation until the second dekad of March. More rains are needed to avoid yield reductions. Elsewhere in the country, the abundant rains during the season have improved pastures and livestock conditions.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production 4 - 88 92

Normal Imports 30 - 31 61

of which: Structural food aid 1 - 2 3

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 5 - 70 75

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 5 - 70 75

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 5 - 70 75

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

1999/2000 Utilization 47 - 154 201

Food Use 41 - 128 169

of which: local purchase requirement - - 1 1

Non-food use - - 12 12

Exports or Re-exports 6 - 11 17

Possible stock build up - - 3 3

1999/2000 Import Requirement 42 - 84 126

Anticipated commercial imports 42 - 84 126

Food aid needs - - - -

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 1 - - 1

of which: Delivered 1 - - 1

Donor-financed purchases - - 1 1

of which: for local use - - 1 1

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 24 - 76 100

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 82

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 207

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

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000


Area:			823 000 sq.km
Climate			Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April
Population:			1.81 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 1 940 (1998)
Specific characteristics of the country:			Arid to semi-arid country; cereal production mainly in the north
Logistics:			Good road and railway network
Major foodcrops:			Millet, maize, sorghum, wheat
Marketing year:			May/April;
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:			48 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	4	-	88	92
Normal Imports	30	-	31	61
of which: Structural food aid	1	-	2	3
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	5	-	70	75
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	5	-	70	75
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	5	-	70	75
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Utilization	47	-	154	201
Food Use	41	-	128	169
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	1	1
Non-food use	-	-	12	12
Exports or Re-exports	6	-	11	17
Possible stock build up	-	-	3	3
1999/2000 Import Requirement	42	-	84	126
Anticipated commercial imports	42	-	84	126
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	1	-	-	1
of which: Delivered	1	-	-	1
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	1	1
of which: for local use	-	-	1	1
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	24	-	76	100
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				82
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				207
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-