FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.57
| Area: | 17 000 sq km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September |
| Population: | 1.06 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$1 390 (2000) |
| 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 |
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in April estimated the 2002 cereal crop, mainly maize at 68 000 tonnes. This is 18 percent below last year’s poor harvest and 37 percent lower than the average of the last five years. Despite an increase of 4 percent in the area planted, prolonged dry spells severely affected crops during their critical flowering stage. Production in the dry Middleveld, Lowveld and the Lobombo Plateau, which experienced dry weather from December to February, has been particularly poor.
The cereal import requirement in marketing year 2002/03 (April/May) is estimated at of 111 000 tonnes. Commercial cereal imports are forecast at 96 000 tonnes and food aid for 144 000 most vulnerable population at 15 000 tonnes, which will need to be covered by the Government and external assistance.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 1 | 108 | 109 |
| Previous five years average imports | 40 | 7 | 30 | 77 |
| 2002/03 Domestic Availability | 9 | - | 68 | 77 |
| 2002 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 68 | 68 |
| 2002 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | 68 | 68 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 9 | - | - | 9 |
| 2002/03 Utilization | 45 | 4 | 139 | 188 |
| Food use | 45 | 4 | 135 | 184 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002/03 Import Requirement | 36 | 4 | 71 | 111 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 36 | 4 | 56 | 96 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| 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 | 4 | 127 | 173 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2002 Production as % of average: | 62 | |||
| 2002/03 Import requirement as % of average: | 144 |