Area:
|
30 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Highland rainy climate with mild winter. Rainy season: Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard
|
Population:
|
2.15 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$550 (1999)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked
|
Logistics:
|
All imports through South Africa
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, sorghum, vegetables
|
Marketing year:
|
April/March; Lean season: February-April
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
75 percent
|
Prospects for the 2001 coarse grain crops are poor. Good rains in the second dekad of February arrived late to the recovery of crops, stressed by a dry spell since January. Dry weather resumed in late February and March, further worsening crop conditions. The output is anticipated to decline from the below average level of last year.
Following a reduced 2000 cereal crop, the import requirement in marketing year 2000/01 (April/March) is estimated at 248 000 tonnes, most of which is expected to be covered commercially.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 24 | - | 153 | 177 |
| Previous five years average imports | 49 | 3 | 154 | 206 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 21 | - | 146 | 167 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 21 | - | 127 | 148 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | 21 | - | 127 | 148 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 19 | 19 |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 76 | 3 | 336 | 415 |
| Food Use | 75 | 3 | 299 | 377 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 37 | 38 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 55 | 3 | 190 | 248 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 55 | 3 | 190 | 248 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 35 | 1 | 139 | 175 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 84 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 120 |
