FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 2000 SWAZILAND 43

SWAZILAND

Area:

17 000 sq.km

Climate:

Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September

Population:

0.96 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 1 170 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa

Major foodcrops:

Maize

Marketing year:

May/April; Lean season: February-April

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

55 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvest of the 2000 maize crop is complete. Preliminary estimates indicate an output of 72 000 tonnes, 37 percent lower than the average crop last year. This reflects a late start in the rainy season followed by excessive precipitation and floods in late November/early December that swept away recently sowed crops. A dry spell in January and more floods in February further affected crop development. Beans and sweet potatoes have also been adversely affected by the erratic rains during the 1999/2000 season.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 3 110 113

Previous five years average imports 43 7 23 73

2000/01 Domestic Availability - 2 89 91

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 3 72 75

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 2 72 74

Possible stock drawdown - - 17 17

2000/01 Utilization 40 10 129 179

Food Use 40 10 113 163

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - - 16 16

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

2000/01 Import Requirement 40 8 40 88

Anticipated commercial imports 40 8 40 88

Food aid needs - - - -

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) 41 10 115 166

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 66

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 121

FAO/GIEWS - August 2000

Area:	17 000 sq.km
Climate:	Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September
Population:	0.96 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 1 170 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa
Major foodcrops:	Maize
Marketing year:	May/April; Lean season: February-April
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	55 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	3	110	113
Previous five years average imports	43	7	23	73
2000/01 Domestic Availability	-	2	89	91
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	3	72	75
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	2	72	74
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	17	17
2000/01 Utilization	40	10	129	179
Food Use	40	10	113	163
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	16	16
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2000/01 Import Requirement	40	8	40	88
Anticipated commercial imports	40	8	40	88
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
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)	41	10	115	166
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				66
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				121