FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1999 MALAWI 27

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MALAWI

Area:
94 000 sq.km
Climate:
Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: November-May
Population
12.58 million (1999 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


CURRENT SITUATION


Normal weather conditions in October have facilitated land preparation for planting of the 1999/2000 maize crop about to start. Distribution of agricultural inputs by the Government, which boosted production last year, is planned.

The 1999 maize production increased sharply from the previous year. Final official estimates indicate a record output of 2.5 million tonnes. As a result, the food supply situation has improved substantially. Markets are well supplied and real prices of maize are below their levels of a year ago. After replenishing the Security Grain Reserve, the country has an exportable surplus in marketing year 1999/2000 (April/March) estimated at 400 000 tonnes.


CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)


 

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

1999/2000 Domestic Availability

2

60

2 538

2 600

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)

2

93

2 538

2 633

1999 Production (rice in milled terms)

2

60

2 538

2 600

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1999/2000 Utilization

54

60

2 538

2 652

Food Use

54

49

1 848

1 951

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

5

5

Non-food use

-

8

170

178

Exports or Re-exports

-

1

400

401

Possible stock build up

-

2

120

122

1999/2000 Import Requirement

52

-

-

52

Anticipated commercial imports

52

-

-

52

Food aid needs

-

-

-

-

Current Aid Position

       

Food aid pledges

-

-

28

28

of which: Delivered

-

-

28

28

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

5

5

of which: for local use

-

-

5

5

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

4

4

147

155

Indexes

       

1999 production as % of normal:

     

193

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:

     

63

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:

     

-


FAO/GIEWS - December 1999

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