FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1999 ZAMBIA 47

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ZAMBIA

Area:
741 000 sq.km
Climate:
Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: November-April
Population:
10.44 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 380 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:
Imports through Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); inadequate rail and road connections
Major foodcrops:
Maize, roots, tubers
Marketing year:
May/April; Lean season: March-May
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
70 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


Harvesting of the irrigated 1999 wheat crop is almost completed. The output is forecast at 99 000 tonnes, a substantial increase on last year's level of 71 000 tonnes, reflecting increased sowings. Planting of the 1999/2000 maize crop has started. More rains are needed following below-average precipitation in western parts in the second dekad of November. Availability of agricultural inputs, mainly seeds and fertilizers, is reported to be adequate.

The 1999 maize production was estimated at 856 000 tonnes, a marked recovery from the poor harvest of the previous year. Harvest of other non-cereal staples, mainly cassava, was good. Import requirements in marketing year 1999/2000 are estimated at 370 000 tonnes, to be covered on commercial basis. The overall food supply is adequate at this time of the year. Markets are well supplied with maize and other staples such as cassava, Irish and sweet potatoes. Prices of maize started their seasonal increase in September, but remained at relatively low levels.


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


 

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

53

14

1 348

1 415

Normal Imports

35

4

65

104

of which: Structural food aid

25

-

45

70

1999/2000 Domestic Availability

109

7

951

1 067

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)

99

10

951

1 060

1999 Production (rice in milled terms)

99

7

951

1 057

Possible stock drawdown

10

-

-

10

1999/2000 Utilization

150

30

1 321

1 501

Food Use

146

28

1 145

1 319

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

3

3

Non-food use

4

2

176

182

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1999/2000 Import Requirement

41

23

370

434

Anticipated commercial imports

41

22

370

433

Food aid needs

-

1

-

1

Current Aid Position

       

Food aid pledges

-

-

2

2

of which: Delivered

-

-

2

2

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

3

3

of which: for local use

-

-

3

3

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

14

3

110

126

Indexes

       

1999 production as % of normal:

     

75

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:

     

417

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:

     

1


FAO/GIEWS - December 1999

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