Area:
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1.22 million sq.km
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Climate:
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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
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Population:
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45.28 million (1999 estimate); GNP per caput US$ 2 880 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Normally net food exporter, notably maize
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Logistics:
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Adequate port, rail and road facilities
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Major foodcrops:
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Maize, wheat
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Marketing year:
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May/April; Lean season: February-April
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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54 percent
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Abundant rains and floods in the second dekad of March have resulted in loss of life and isolated several areas in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Heavy precipitation also affected parts of Northern and Mpumalnga provinces, already hit by severe flooding in February. Torrential rains and floods in these provinces in February severely damaged housing and infrastructure. Crop losses in the Northern Province were estimated at some R70 million (US$11 million), mainly pulses, maize and vegetables. Serious damage to the irrigation infrastructure included destruction of 16 dams. The Government has provided emergency assistance in the affected areas and has announced special credit facilities for the rehabilitation of the agricultural and tourism sectors.
In the major maize growing areas, however, good rains in the past two months improved growing conditions for the crop, now at the maturing stage. Despite serious crop losses in the Northern Province, the maize belt was only marginally affected by the floods. The overall outlook for this year's maize harvest is favourable reflecting an increase of 10 percent in the area planted and generally adequate weather conditions. Latest official forecasts indicate a bumper maize crop of 9.5 million tonnes compared to 7.1 million tonnes last year. At this level, production will be sufficient to replenish stocks and cover import requirements of other countries in the sub-region.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 2 084 | 2 | 8 603 | 10 689 |
| Normal Exports | 185 | - | 1 893 | 2 078 |
| 1999/2000 Domestic Availability | 1 915 | 2 | 8 448 | 10 365 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 1 568 | 3 | 8 050 | 9 621 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | 1 568 | 2 | 8 050 | 9 620 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 347 | - | 398 | 745 |
| 1999/2000 Utilization | 2 715 | 449 | 9 125 | 12 289 |
| Food Use | 2 445 | 399 | 4 471 | 7 315 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 220 | 50 | 4 054 | 4 324 |
| Exports or Re-exports | 50 | - | 600 | 650 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1999/2000 Import Requirement | 800 | 447 | 677 | 1 924 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 800 | 447 | 677 | 1 924 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | - | - |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 100 | 100 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | 100 | 100 |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 61 | 10 | 112 | 183 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of normal: | 90 |
