FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 2000 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$ 1 940 (1998)

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

Harvest of the 2000 coarse grains, mainly sorghum, is completed. A good crop has been obtained. Above-normal to normal rains from late March allowed the recovery of grains stressed by a dry spell from late February. Latest official forecast point to coarse grains output more than doubling last year's average level of 70 000 tonnes. Widespread abundant precipitation during the season has also benefited pastures and livestock conditions.

The food supply situation is anticipated satisfactory in marketing year 2000/01 (April/May).

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2000/01 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production 5 - 85 90

Previous five years average imports 42 - 84 126

2000/01 Domestic Availability 9 - 127 136

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) 4 - 127 131

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) 4 - 127 131

Possible stock drawdown 5 - - 5

2000/01 Utilization 54 - 187 241

Food Use 54 - 172 226

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - - 14 14

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - 1 1

2000/01 Import Requirement 45 - 60 105

Anticipated commercial imports 45 - 60 105

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) 31 - 99 130

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 146

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 83

FAO/GIEWS - August 2000

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$ 1 940 (1998)
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
Previous five years average production	5	-	85	90
Previous five years average imports	42	-	84	126
2000/01 Domestic Availability	9	-	127	136
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	4	-	127	131
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	4	-	127	131
Possible stock drawdown	5	-	-	5
2000/01 Utilization	54	-	187	241
Food Use	54	-	172	226
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	14	14
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	1	1
2000/01 Import Requirement	45	-	60	105
Anticipated commercial imports	45	-	60	105
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)	31	-	99	130
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				146
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				83