FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 BOTSWANA 3

BOTSWANA

Area:

567 000 sq.km

Climate:

South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.

Population:

1.60 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$3 240 (1999)

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

CURRENT SITUATION

Abundant rains in the third dekad of February arrived too late to avoid yield reduction of maize and sorghum crops stressed by dry weather since January. The output is anticipated to decline, or remain around, the poor level of last year.

Following two consecutive reduced cereal harvests, the country has an import requirement of 250 000 tonnes of cereals in marketing year 2000/01 (April/March), all of which is expected to be imported commercially.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - - 32 32

Previous five years average imports 64 - 163 227

2000/01 Domestic Availability - - 26 26

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - - 21 21

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 21 21

Possible stock drawdown - - 5 5

2000/01 Utilization 65 - 211 276

Food Use 58 - 206 264

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - - 5 5

Exports or Re-exports 7 - - 7

Possible stock build up - - - -

2000/01 Import Requirement 65 - 185 250

Anticipated commercial imports 65 - 185 250

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) 36 - 127 163

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 66

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 110

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	567 000 sq.km
Climate:	South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.
Population:	1.60 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$3 240 (1999)
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

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	-	32	32
Previous five years average imports	64	-	163	227
2000/01 Domestic Availability	-	-	26	26
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	21	21
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	21	21
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	5	5
2000/01 Utilization	65	-	211	276
Food Use	58	-	206	264
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	5	5
Exports or Re-exports	7	-	-	7
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2000/01 Import Requirement	65	-	185	250
Anticipated commercial imports	65	-	185	250
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)	36	-	127	163
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				66
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				110