FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 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

Harvesting of the 2000 coarse grains, mainly maize, is well advanced and a good maize crop is in prospects. Preliminary estimates point to an increase of 7 percent in this year's maize output to an average level of 918 000 tonnes. Despite severe floods in early March and crop losses along the Zambezi Valley, abundant rains during the season benefited this year's maize crop and resulted in higher plantings and yields. Improved use of agricultural inputs, mainly in the commercial sector, also contributed to better yields. The outlook for cassava and other foodcrops is also satisfactory.

Reflecting the increase in production, the overall food supply situation is anticipated to improve in marketing year 2000/01 (April/May).

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production 63 16 1 012 1 091

Previous five years average imports 57 15 302 374

2000/01 Domestic Availability 90 13 1 032 1 135

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) 90 19 1 032 1 141

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) 90 13 1 032 1 135

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

2000/01 Utilization 131 36 1 372 1 539

Food Use 127 34 1 132 1 293

of which: local purchase requirement - - 3 3

Non-food use 4 2 185 191

Exports or Re-exports - - 50 50

Possible stock build up - - 5 5

2000/01 Import Requirement 41 23 340 404

Anticipated commercial imports 41 22 340 403

Food aid needs - 1 - 1

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - - -

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - 3 3

of which: for local use - - 3 3

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 12 3 106 121

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 105

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 108

FAO/GIEWS - August 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
Previous five years average production	63	16	1 012	1 091
Previous five years average imports	57	15	302	374
2000/01 Domestic Availability	90	13	1 032	1 135
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	90	19	1 032	1 141
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	90	13	1 032	1 135
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
2000/01 Utilization	131	36	1 372	1 539
Food Use	127	34	1 132	1 293
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	3	3
Non-food use	4	2	185	191
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	50	50
Possible stock build up	-	-	5	5
2000/01 Import Requirement	41	23	340	404
Anticipated commercial imports	41	22	340	403
Food aid needs	-	1	-	1
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	3	3
of which: for local use	-	-	3	3
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	12	3	106	121
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				105
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				108