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
Following generally sparse and below normal rainfall in most parts of the country between October and December, abundant and widespread rains fell across the country in January 1998, becoming heavy in the north and lighter in the south. Despite an adequate supply of seeds and other agricultural inputs, the planted area was constrained by the late start of rains and is forecast to be much below the 1996/97 level. As a result, timely and well distributed rains in March and April will be critical for crops. If, on the other hand, the next few weeks see dry weather then yields could be seriously affected leading to a major crop loss compared to the 1997 below average cereal production. Given the possibility that many farmers were induced by high prices during the current 1997/98 marketing year to sell most of their grains to milling companies, farm level stocks are likely to be low. Nevertheless, available grain stocks and planned imports by major commercial millers during the 1998/99 marketing year are expected to meet national requirements.
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
Normal Production |
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 |
- |
210 |
293 |
Food Use |
72 |
- |
202 |
274 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use |
- |
- |
7 |
7 |
Exports or Re-exports |
6 |
- |
1 |
7 |
Possible stock build up |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
1997/98 Import Requirement |
82 |
- |
175 |
257 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
82 |
- |
175 |
257 |
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Current Aid Position | ||||
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
47 |
- |
133 |
181 |
Indexes | ||||
1997 production as % of normal: |
47 |
|||
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
140 |
|||
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |