Area:
|
387 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Centre and north-east tropical wet-dry; south and west semi-arid. One rainy season
|
(November-March)
| |
Population:
|
11.97 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 750 (1997)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Land-locked country; exporter and importer of grain
|
Logistics:
|
Exports and imports through Mozambique or South Africa
|
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, wheat, millet, sorghum
|
Marketing year:
|
April/March; Lean season: February-April
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
66 percent
|
Rainfall has been abundant and widespread since October, becoming heavy in many areas in December and part of January, raising cumulative rainfall to over 100 percent of normal levels in most areas. This has raised concerns that crops in low-lying areas could suffer yield losses from water-logging and leaching of fertilizers. Crop conditions are reported to be generally good in most areas and harvest prospects are favourable so far.
The national food supply situation is generally stable. Available supply of cereals and planned imports are expected to cover needs until the beginning of the new harvest in April. Government relief assistance continues to be provided to vulnerable groups in food deficit regions.
|
Wheat
|
Rice
|
Coarse grains
|
Total
| |
|
Normal Production
|
240
|
4
|
1 880
|
2 124
|
Normal Imports
|
55
|
20
|
-
|
75
|
of which: Structural food aid
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
|
1998/99 Domestic Availability
|
250
|
-
|
1 616
|
1 866
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
250
|
-
|
1 589
|
1 839
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
250
|
-
|
1 589
|
1 839
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
-
|
-
|
27
|
27
|
|
1998/99 Utilization
|
400
|
25
|
2 266
|
2 691
|
Food Use
|
345
|
25
|
1 741
|
2 111
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Non-food use
|
15
|
-
|
475
|
490
|
Exports or Re-exports
|
-
|
-
|
50
|
50
|
Possible stock build up
|
40
|
-
|
-
|
40
|
|
1998/99 Import Requirement
|
150
|
25
|
650
|
825
|
Anticipated commercial imports
|
150
|
25
|
650
|
825
|
Food aid needs
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
86
|
-
|
2
|
88
|
of which: Delivered
|
81
|
-
|
-
|
81
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
|
50
|
50
|
of which: for local use
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
for export
|
-
|
-
|
50
|
50
|
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)
|
29
|
2
|
145
|
176
|
Indexes
|
||||
1998 production as % of normal:
|
87
| |||
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:
|
1100
| |||
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:
|
-
|
