| Area: | 567 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | South-western part arid (Kalahari desert);rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb. |
| Population: | 1.58 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 3 020 (1995) |
| 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
Rainfall during the 1996/97 crop season has been generally favourable despite some dry periods, particularly in February. Official forecast of production suggests a sharp decline in output as a result of reduced planted area of coarse grains. Millet and sorghum are forecast at 21 000 tons, which is one-third of last year’s crop while the maize crop stands at 6 000 tons against last year's 23 000 tons. Yields for crop planted in November/December may have been adversely affected by the February dry spell, although this effect was countered by good rains in March. Pests reported during the season include Quelea birds in parts of central, northern and southern areas. Control measures were taken and no serious damage to crops is expected.
Despite the drop in cereal output, the food supply situation for the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to be satisfactory as cereal import requirements are likely to be met by commercial imports.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
1 |
- |
59 |
60 |
|
Normal Imports |
60 |
8 |
116 |
184 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
- |
- |
20 |
20 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
1 |
- |
35 |
36 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
1 |
- |
27 |
28 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
1 |
- |
27 |
28 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
8 |
8 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
83 |
12 |
210 |
305 |
|
Food Use |
71 |
12 |
203 |
286 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
- |
- |
7 |
7 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
7 |
- |
- |
7 |
|
Possible stock build up |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
82 |
12 |
175 |
269 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
82 |
12 |
175 |
269 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
45 |
8 |
128 |
181 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
47 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
146 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |