FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 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

Harvest of the 2000 coarse grains is completed. Preliminary forecast point to a decline of 8 percent in this year's maize production from the about-normal level of last year. A delay in the start of the rainy season, coupled with a prolonged dry spell in January and subsequent excessive rains and floods in February, resulted in lower plantings and yields. In low-land areas severely affected by floods, the reduction in maize production is significant.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2000/01 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production 19 - 151 170

Previous five years average imports 51 3 137 191

2000/01 Domestic Availability 21 - 150 171

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) 21 - 146 167

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) 21 - 146 167

Possible stock drawdown - - 4 4

2000/01 Utilization 76 3 315 394

Food Use 70 3 299 372

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 - 16 17

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up 5 - - 5

2000/01 Import Requirement 55 3 165 223

Anticipated commercial imports 55 3 155 213

Food aid needs - - 10 10

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - - -

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 33 1 139 173

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 98

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 117

FAO/GIEWS - August 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
Previous five years average production	19	-	151	170
Previous five years average imports	51	3	137	191
2000/01 Domestic Availability	21	-	150	171
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	21	-	146	167
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	21	-	146	167
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	4	4
2000/01 Utilization	76	3	315	394
Food Use	70	3	299	372
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	-	16	17
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	5	-	-	5
2000/01 Import Requirement	55	3	165	223
Anticipated commercial imports	55	3	155	213
Food aid needs	-	-	10	10
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	33	1	139	173
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				98
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				117