FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 SWAZILAND 43

SWAZILAND

Area:

17 000 sq.km

Climate:

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

Population:

0.98 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$1 360 (1999)

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

Prospects for the 2001 cereal crop are poor. Prolonged dry weather during most of January and early February stressed the developing maize crop. Abundant rains in the second dekad of February were too late to prevent reductions in yields. Dry weather resumed from late February worsening growing conditions. Early forecast point to maize output around the well below average level of last year.

The overall food supply situation is tight reflecting the flood-reduced cereal harvest of last year and inadequate commercial imports so far. Serious food difficulties are particularly being experienced by 14 000 people who lost crops last season and need of food assistance until the next harvest. The Government has appealed for international assistance to meet their needs.

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 90 92

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 3 73 76

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 2 73 75

Possible stock drawdown - - 17 17

2000/01 Utilization 40 10 130 180

Food Use 40 10 114 164

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 10 116 167

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 67

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 121

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	17 000 sq.km
Climate:	Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September
Population:	0.98 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$1 360 (1999)
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	90	92
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	3	73	76
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	2	73	75
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	17	17
2000/01 Utilization	40	10	130	180
Food Use	40	10	114	164
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	116	167
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				67
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				121