FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.17
| Area: | 567 000 sq km |
| Climate: | South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in December-February |
| Population: | 1.68 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$3 300 (2000) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | East; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west |
| Logistics: | Imports through South Africa |
| Major foodcrops: | Sorghum, pulses, vegetables |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: January-March |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 55 percent |
Final official production estimates indicate a 2002 cereal crop of 25 000 tonnes. Output of sorghum, at 23 000 tonnes, more than doubled last year’s reduced crop of 10 000 tonnes. However, at this level it remained below normal. Yields of sorghum and maize crops were reduced by a prolonged dry spell in January.
Cereal import requirements in marketing year 2002/03 (April/March) are estimated by FAO at 266 000 tonnes, which are expected to be covered as usual on commercial basis.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | - | 19 | 19 |
| Previous five years average imports | 69 | - | 185 | 254 |
| 2002/03 Domestic Availability | - | - | 29 | 29 |
| 2002 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| 2002 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| 2002/03 Utilization | 78 | - | 217 | 295 |
| Food use | 71 | - | 215 | 286 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| Exports or re-exports | 7 | - | - | 7 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002/03 Import Requirement | 78 | - | 188 | 266 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 78 | - | 188 | 266 |
| 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) | 42 | - | 128 | 170 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2002 Production as % of average: | 132 | |||
| 2002/03 Import requirement as % of average: | 105 |