FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1999 SWAZILAND 43

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SWAZILAND

Area:
17 000 sq.km
Climate:
Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September
Population:
0.96 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 1 170 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:
Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa
Major foodcrops:
Maize
Marketing year:
May/April; Lean season: February-April
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
55 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


Planting of the 1999/2000 coarse grains crops is underway. However, dry weather in October and the first half of November has delayed field operations. More rains are urgently needed to avoid reductions in the area planted.

The food supply situation is stable. The 1999 maize harvest was estimated at 113 000 tonnes, well below last year's bumper crop, but was average. Despite an increase in plantings, excessive rains followed by a dry spell negatively affected the crop. Import requirement for maize in marketing year 1999/2000 is estimated at 24 000 tonnes. The country has a structural deficit in wheat and rice of 48 000 tonnes. All imports are anticipated to be covered commercially.


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


 

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

1

3

116

120

Normal Imports

25

2

20

47

of which: Structural food aid

8

-

1

9

1999/2000 Domestic Availability

-

2

113

115

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

3

113

116

1999 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

2

113

115

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1999/2000 Utilization

40

10

137

187

Food Use

40

10

110

160

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

-

-

20

20

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

2

2

Possible stock build up

-

-

5

5

1999/2000 Import Requirement

40

8

24

72

Anticipated commercial imports

40

8

24

72

Food aid needs

-

-

-

-

Current Aid Position

       

Food aid pledges

-

-

-

-

of which: Delivered

-

-

-

-

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

-

-

of which: for local use

-

-

-

-

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

42

11

115

167

Indexes

       

1999 production as % of normal:

     

97

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:

     

153

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:

     

-


FAO/GIEWS - December 1999

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