Area:
|
94 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Tropical wet-dry climate with one rainy season (November-May)
|
Population
|
12.21 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 220 (1997)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country; importer and exporter of grain
|
Logistics:
|
Imports/exports through Beira (Mozambique) or Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, pulses, roots, tubers, rice
|
Marketing year:
|
April/March; Lean season: February-March
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
70 percent
|
Widespread rainfall has continued over the southern and central parts of the country since November, providing favourable conditions for crop development. In the north, planting rains were received only in January in some areas. As a result, the outcome of harvest will depend largely on the continuation of good rains during the next two months.
Following a good harvest in 1998/99, the food supply situation has improved significantly. Markets are supplied by local maize but also by imports primarily from Zimbabwe and South Africa. Government assistance continues to be provided to vulnerable populations groups, victims of drought or floods.
Wheat
|
Rice
|
Coarse grains
|
Total
| |
Normal Production
|
2
|
35
|
1 330
|
1 367
|
Normal Imports
|
40
|
3
|
40
|
83
|
of which: Structural food aid
|
-
|
-
|
40
|
40
|
1998/99 Domestic Availability
|
2
|
32
|
1 832
|
1 866
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
2
|
50
|
1 827
|
1 879
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
2
|
32
|
1 827
|
1 861
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
1998/99 Utilization
|
52
|
34
|
1 882
|
1 968
|
Food Use
|
52
|
28
|
1 712
|
1 792
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
10
|
Non-food use
|
-
|
5
|
170
|
175
|
Exports or Re-exports
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
Possible stock build up
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1998/99 Import Requirement
|
50
|
2
|
50
|
102
|
Anticipated commercial imports
|
50
|
2
|
50
|
102
|
Food aid needs
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
5
|
-
|
20
|
25
|
of which: Delivered
|
5
|
-
|
17
|
22
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
10
|
of which: for local use
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
10
|
for export
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)
|
4
|
2
|
140
|
147
|
Indexes
|
||||
1998 production as % of normal:
|
137
| |||
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:
|
123
| |||
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:
|
-
|