FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1999 NAMIBIA 32

NAMIBIA

Area:

823 000 sq.km

Climate:

Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April

Population:

1.81 million (1999 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

Land preparation for planting of the 1999/2000 crops has started in northern areas. Good rains in the second dekad of November improved soil moisture conditions. The recently harvested wheat crop is estimated at an average level of 5 000 tonnes.

The 1999 coarse grains production was estimated at 70 000 tonnes, substantially higher than last year but below average. However, the food supply situation is stable, reflecting the country's import capacity. Cereal import requirements in marketing year 1999/2000 (April/March) are estimated at 126 000 tonnes.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 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

1999/2000 Domestic Availability

5

-

77

82

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)

5

-

70

75

1999 Production (rice in milled terms)

5

-

70

75

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

7

7

1999/2000 Utilization

47

-

161

208

Food Use

47

-

149

196

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

1

1

Non-food use

-

-

12

12

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1999/2000 Import Requirement

42

-

84

126

Anticipated commercial imports

42

-

84

126

Food aid needs

-

-

-

-

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges

1

-

-

1

of which: Delivered

1

-

-

1

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

1

1

of which: for local use

-

-

1

1

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

26

-

82

108

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal:

82

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:

207

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:

-

FAO/GIEWS - December 1999

Area:	823 000 sq.km
Climate:	Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April
Population:	1.81 million (1999 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

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	4	-	88	92
Normal Imports	30	-	31	61
of which: Structural food aid	1	-	2	3
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	5	-	77	82
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	5	-	70	75
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	5	-	70	75
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	7	7
1999/2000 Utilization	47	-	161	208
Food Use	47	-	149	196
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	1	1
Non-food use	-	-	12	12
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Import Requirement	42	-	84	126
Anticipated commercial imports	42	-	84	126
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	1	-	-	1
of which: Delivered	1	-	-	1
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	1	1
of which: for local use	-	-	1	1
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	26	-	82	108
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				82
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				207
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-