FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 1999 NAMIBIA 32

Previous PageTable Of ContentsNext Page


NAMIBIA

Area: 824 000 sq.km
Climate:
Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April
Population:
1.75 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 2 220 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:
Arid to semi-arid country; cereal production mainly in the north
Logistics:
Good road and railway network
Major foodcrops:
Millet, maize, sorghum, wheat
Marketing year:
May/April;
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
48 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


The 1998/99 growing season started in late November and early December with widespread rains over the north-eastern part of the country, gradually moving south and other parts of the country. Planting continues in some areas. Additional rainfall is needed for the remainder of the season for crops to achieve normal development.

The national food supply situation in the current marketing year continues to be tight as a result of the drought-reduced 1998 cereal harvest of 59 000 tonnes. As this was only one-third of the previous year's output, the cereal import requirement was estimated at 155 000 tonnes for 1998/99 (May/April), through commercial channels.


CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1998/99 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)


 
Wheat
Rice
Coarse grains
Total
Normal Production
4
-
88
92
Normal Imports
30
-
31
61
of which: Structural food aid
1
-
2
3
1998/99 Domestic Availability
16
-
69
85
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)
6
-
53
59
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)
6
-
53
59
Possible stock drawdown
10
-
16
26
1998/99 Utilization
51
-
189
240
Food Use
51
-
180
231
of which: local purchase requirement
-
-
-
-
Non-food use
-
-
9
9
Exports or Re-exports
-
-
-
-
Possible stock build up
-
-
-
-
1998/99 Import Requirement
35
-
120
155
Anticipated commercial imports
35
-
120
155
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)
29
-
103
132
Indexes
       
1998 production as % of normal:
     
64
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:
     
254
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:
     
-

FAO/GIEWS - April 1999

Previous PageTop Of PageTable Of ContentsNext Page