FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 2000 BOTSWANA 3

BOTSWANA

Area:

567 000 sq.km

Climate:

South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.

Population:

1.585 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 600 (1998)

Specific characteristics of the country:

east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west

Logistics:

Imports through South Africa

Major foodcrops:

Sorghum, pulses, vegetables

Marketing year:

April/March; Lean season: January/March

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

55 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvest of the 1999/2000 coarse grains, mainly sorghum, is completed. Heavy rains since December, aggravated by Cyclones Elaine and Felicia in February, resulted in severe flooding in eastern and southern areas, where over two thirds of the population is concentrated. The flooding resulted in damage to housing and infrastructure, the total loss of at least 2 314 hectares of food crops and yields reductions in the affected areas. Overall maize production is forecast at the same reduced level of last year and latest forecasts point to a sorghum crop lower than anticipated and well below that of last year. In aggregate, coarse grain harvest is estimated to decline from the reduced level of 1999.

Food difficulties are anticipated for some 160 000 people who left homeless to floods. However, the overall food supply situation is forecast to be satisfactory in marketing year 2000/20001 (April/March) reflecting the country's commercial import capacity.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - - 32 32

Previous five years average imports 64 - 163 227

2000/01 Domestic Availability - - 20 20

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - - 13 13

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 13 13

Possible stock drawdown - - 7 7

2000/01 Utilization 65 - 205 270

Food Use 58 - 200 258

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - - 5 5

Exports or Re-exports 7 - - 7

Possible stock build up - - - -

2000/01 Import Requirement 65 - 185 250

Anticipated commercial imports 65 - 185 250

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) 37 - 126 163

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 41

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 110

FAO/GIEWS - August 2000

Area:	567 000 sq.km
Climate:	South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.
Population:	1.585 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 600 (1998)
Specific characteristics of the country:	east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west
Logistics:	Imports through South Africa
Major foodcrops:	Sorghum, pulses, vegetables
Marketing year:	April/March; Lean season: January/March
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	55 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	-	32	32
Previous five years average imports	64	-	163	227
2000/01 Domestic Availability	-	-	20	20
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	13	13
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	13	13
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	7	7
2000/01 Utilization	65	-	205	270
Food Use	58	-	200	258
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	5	5
Exports or Re-exports	7	-	-	7
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2000/01 Import Requirement	65	-	185	250
Anticipated commercial imports	65	-	185	250
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)	37	-	126	163
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				41
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				110