| Area: | 17 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate. One rainy season (October-April); cool temperatures in May- September |
| Population: | 0.904 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 1 170 (1995) |
| 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
Weather conditions have been generally favourable since October with normal to above-normal rains over most growing areas. In keeping with contingency measures suggested by the government, farmers started to plant early, especially in the Low Veld. Fast maturing and drought tolerant maize varieties were used in drought prone areas. The area planted to maize is expected to be slightly lower than last year’s level, largely resulting from crop diversification by some farmers. The early planted crop is now reported at the tasselling to grain-filling stages, while the late planted crop is at the late vegetative stage and in good condition.
Harvest prospects are generally good but yields may be affected by heavy rains in several areas, which may cause the leaching of nutrients. The current food supply situation is satisfactory overall and most of imports are expected to be met through commercial channels.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
1 |
3 |
116 |
120 |
|
Normal Imports |
25 |
2 |
20 |
47 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
8 |
- |
1 |
9 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
- |
2 |
117 |
119 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
3 |
85 |
88 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
2 |
85 |
87 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
32 |
32 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
40 |
9 |
117 |
166 |
|
Food Use |
40 |
9 |
95 |
144 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
- |
- |
20 |
20 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
40 |
7 |
- |
47 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
40 |
7 |
- |
47 |
|
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) |
44 |
10 |
105 |
159 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
73 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
100 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |
