Area:
|
30 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Highland rainy climate with mild winter. Rainy season: Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard
|
Population:
|
2.24 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 670 (1997)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked
|
Logistics:
|
All imports through South Africa
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, sorghum, vegetables
|
Marketing year:
|
April/March; Lean season: February-April
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
75 percent
|
Harvesting of the 1999 wheat crop has started. The outlook is satisfactory. However, the forecast production of 30 000 tonnes may not be reached due to a dry spell early in the season that is likely to have reduced plantings and yields. Planting of the 1999/2000 coarse grains is underway. Early prospects are uncertain following below-average precipitation from late October to mid-November. More rains are needed in the next few weeks to prevent declines in the area planted and yields of early planted crops.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. The 1999 coarse grain production increased 21 percent from the reduced crop of the previous year, to 182 000 tonnes. However, maize output covers less than half the domestic consumption and imports in marketing year 1999/2000 are estimated at 155 000 tonnes, most of which will be covered commercially.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total | |
|
Normal Production |
23 |
- |
155 |
178 |
Normal Imports |
55 |
10 |
150 |
215 |
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
2 |
20 |
37 |
|
1999/2000 Domestic Availability |
30 |
- |
182 |
212 |
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
30 |
- |
182 |
212 |
1999 Production (rice in milled terms) |
30 |
- |
182 |
212 |
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1999/2000 Utilization |
75 |
3 |
337 |
415 |
Food Use |
69 |
3 |
306 |
378 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use |
1 |
- |
18 |
19 |
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Possible stock build up |
5 |
- |
13 |
18 |
|
1999/2000 Import Requirement |
45 |
3 |
155 |
203 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
45 |
3 |
132 |
180 |
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
23 |
23 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
31 |
1 |
137 |
169 |
Indexes |
||||
1999 production as % of normal: |
119 | |||
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: |
94 | |||
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
62 |
