FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 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$ 330 (1998)

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

Heavy flooding due to the overflow of the Zambezi River in early March made nearly 10,000 people homeless and resulted in the closure of roads in the river basin. Serious losses to maize and other crops, as well as to livestock are reported in the Lower Zambezi Valley, bordering Mozambique. Worst affected area is the Luangwa district. Emergency food assistance is being distributed to the affected population.

Despite the localized crop losses, the abundant rains since mid-February have benefited the main maize crop, affected by erratic precipitation earlier in the season. As a result, overall prospects for this year's cereal crop remain satisfactory.

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 100 13 951 1 064

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 90 19 951 1 060

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 90 13 951 1 054

Possible stock drawdown 10 - - 10

1999/2000 Utilization 141 36 1 321 1 498

Food Use 135 34 1 095 1 264

of which: local purchase requirement - - 6 6

Non-food use 4 2 176 182

Exports or Re-exports 2 - 50 52

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999/2000 Import Requirement 41 23 370 434

Anticipated commercial imports 41 22 370 433

Food aid needs - 1 - 1

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - 4 4

of which: Delivered - - 4 4

Donor-financed purchases 2 - 56 58

of which: for local use - - 6 6

for export 2 - 50 52

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 13 3 105 121

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 75

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 417

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

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

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$ 330 (1998)
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	100	13	951	1 064
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	90	19	951	1 060
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	90	13	951	1 054
Possible stock drawdown	10	-	-	10
1999/2000 Utilization	141	36	1 321	1 498
Food Use	135	34	1 095	1 264
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	6	6
Non-food use	4	2	176	182
Exports or Re-exports	2	-	50	52
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Import Requirement	41	23	370	434
Anticipated commercial imports	41	22	370	433
Food aid needs	-	1	-	1
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	4	4
of which: Delivered	-	-	4	4
Donor-financed purchases	2	-	56	58
of which: for local use	-	-	6	6
for export	2	-	50	52
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	13	3	105	121
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				75
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				417
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				1