Area:
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94 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: November-May
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Population
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12.58 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 200 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country; importer and exporter of grain
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Logistics:
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Imports/exports through Beira (Mozambique) or Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
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Major foodcrops:
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Maize, pulses, roots, tubers, rice
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Marketing year:
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April/March; Lean season: February-March
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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70 percent
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Harvest of the 2000 cereal crops is completed. Despite floods and crop losses in northern and southern parts, latest official forecasts point to another bumper maize crop of 2.3 million tonnes, almost unchanged from last year's record level. Late and erratic rains at the beginning of the season affected germination and establishment of the crops, particularly in southern areas where planting starts earlier. However, abundant precipitation from the second dekad of February led to the recover of the crops in most of central and northern areas. Production of maize has also been supported by the "Starter Pack" and "APIP" programmes through which agricultural inputs were distribute to farmers free or subsidized.
As a result of the good harvest and large carryover stocks, the country is expected to have exportable surplus for the second consecutive year. Official stocks, mainly held by the National Food Reserve Agency are estimated at 167 000 tonnes. Prices of maize are declining and by April were below their level of a year ago. Cassava prices are also decreasing reflecting a good harvest. The overall food supply situation is anticipated satisfactory in marketing year 2000/01 (April/March). However, in the northern district of Karonga and in those of Chilkwawa, Nkhotakota and Nsanje, where production was sharply reduced by torrential rains in mid-March and dry spell early in the season food assistance is required for the affected populations.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 2 | 58 | 1 917 | 1 977 |
| Previous five years average imports | 50 | 1 | 119 | 170 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 2 | 56 | 2 544 | 2 602 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 2 | 87 | 2 524 | 2 613 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | 2 | 56 | 2 524 | 2 582 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 62 | 56 | 2 544 | 2 662 |
| Food Use | 62 | 47 | 1 919 | 2 028 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| Non-food use | - | 8 | 245 | 253 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | 1 | 380 | 381 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 60 | - | - | 60 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 60 | - | - | 60 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 11 | - | 2 | 13 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 5 | 4 | 148 | 157 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 132 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 35 |
