Area:
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784 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Tropical wet-dry; coast is semi-arid
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Population:
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19.57 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 210 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; exposed to tropical storms and cyclones
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Logistics:
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Dilapidated rail and road transport fleet; lack of fuel and spares; poor roads; substantial
Deliveries by coastal vessels
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Major foodcrops:
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Roots, tubers, maize
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Marketing year:
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April/March; Lean season: February-April
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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53 percent
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An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission which visited Mozambique in the second half of April found that the area lost to this year's severe floods was 167 000 hectares, accounting for 6 percent of total foodcrop plantings of the first season. However, in the worst flood-affected provinces of Maputo and Gaza this percentage represents 41 percent and 25 percent respectively. In addition, 43 000 hectares were lost to dry weather in northern parts, raising the area lost in the first season to 7 percent of the area planted. After projecting the small second season for maize and beans, the Mission estimated the total area to cereals, cassava and other foodcrops to be harvested in 1999/2000 at 2.9 million hectares.
In the South and southern Central provinces, a dry spell early in the season was followed by continuous precipitation from mid-November and unprecedented floods in February and March. This led to total or partial maize and bean failure throughout these areas. A second season for grains and vegetables, based on residual moisture, is expected to allow a partial recovery of production in South and southern-Central provinces. While at national level this season represents only some 10 percent of the annual cereal and bean production, it accounts for 50 percent in Gaza and 10 to 15 in Inhambane and Maputo Provinces.
Abundant precipitation from January to April in the main Central and Northern growing areas sustained grain and cassava production. Yields in these areas are estimated around last year's level given the absence of pests and diseases.
Including the second season cereals and beans, to be harvested from mid-June, the Mission forecast the total 1999/2000 cereal production at 1.43 million tonnes, of which 994 000 tonnes, or 70 percent, is maize. Bean output is projected at 134 000 tonnes, while cassava is estimated at 4.64 million tonnes. This year's changes in the database prevent strict comparisons with production estimates for 1998/99. However, roughly accounting for these changes, the Mission estimates that production of cereals is some 6-10 percent below the good crop of the previous year. This mainly reflects area losses to floods and dry weather, and a sharp decline in yields in southern provinces.
Although production declined in Northern and Central provinces, food supply has been boosted by significant on-farm stocks following a succession of good harvests, coupled with reduced marketing opportunities. In the traditionally food deficit South, even with a good second harvest, food difficulties are anticipated in the coming months for large numbers of the population.
The skewed distribution of cereal production between the three regions is reflected in very low and declining retail maize prices in the markets in North and Central regions, while in the South there are no household stocks, supplies to markets are low to non-existent and prices are 2.5 times higher for similar quality maize. Marketing and transport will be critical issues in marketing year 2000/01.
The Mission estimates that 650 000 people will need emergency food assistance amounting to 60 000 tonnes.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 162 | 1 332 | 1 494 |
| Previous five years average imports | 182 | 79 | 85 | 346 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 10 | 106 | 1 310 | 1 426 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 140 | 1 293 | 1 433 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 93 | 1 293 | 1 386 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 10 | 13 | 17 | 40 |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 180 | 246 | 1 413 | 1 839 |
| Food Use | 172 | 231 | 1 123 | 1 526 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 12 | 12 |
| Non-food use | 8 | 15 | 245 | 268 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 45 | 45 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 170 | 140 | 103 | 413 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 110 | 133 | 60 | 303 |
| Food aid needs | 60 | 7 | 43 | 110 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 65 | 7 | 5 | 78 |
| of which: Delivered | - | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Donor-financed local purchases | - | - | 12 | 12 |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 10 | 13 | 65 | 89 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 96 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 119 |
