Area:
|
1.22 million sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Sub-tropical with rains concentrated in the summer months (November-April); occasional snow in winter over higher parts of plateau and Cape ranges; an average of 120 days frost in the interior plateau
|
Population:
|
40.86 million (2001 estimate); GNP per caput US$3 020 (2000)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Normally net food exporter, notably maize
|
Logistics:
|
Adequate port, rail and road facilities
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, wheat
|
Marketing year:
|
May/April; Lean season: February-April
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
54 percent
|
Prospects for the 2002 main maize crop, to be harvested from May, are favourable. This reflects generally adequate rains since the beginning of the season and an increase of 5 percent in the area planted. Official production forecasts by mid-March point to a maize crop close to 9 million tonnes, some 20 percent above last year's crop of 7.5 million tonnes. However, this forecast may be revised downwards following dry weather in parts in March.
Following large exports of maize in marketing year 2001/2002 (May/April), the supply is tight and prices remain at high levels. The country is importing 100 000 tonnes of white maize and about 290 000 tonnes of yellow maize to replenish stocks. Prospects for the 2002 main maize crop, to be harvested from May, are favourable. This reflects generally adequate rains since the beginning of the season and an increase of 5 percent in the area planted. Official production forecasts by mid-March point to a maize crop close to 9 million tonnes, some 20 percent above last year's crop of 7.5 million tonnes. However, this forecast may be revised downwards following dry weather in parts in March.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Previous five years average production |
2 222 |
3 |
9 887 |
12 112 |
|
Previous five years average exports |
170 |
- |
1 219 |
1 389 |
|
2001/02 Domestic Availability |
2 493 |
100 |
9 086 |
11 679 |
|
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
2 493 |
- |
7 786 |
10 279 |
|
2001 Production (rice in milled terms) |
2 493 |
- |
7 786 |
10 279 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
100 |
1 300 |
1 400 |
|
2001/02 Utilization |
2 843 |
100 |
9 962 |
12 905 |
|
Food Use |
2 480 |
100 |
4 567 |
7 147 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
164 |
- |
4 095 |
4 259 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
150 |
- |
1 300 |
1 450 |
|
Possible stock build up |
49 |
- |
- |
49 |
|
2001/02 Import Requirement |
350 |
- |
876 |
1 226 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
350 |
- |
876 |
1 226 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
55 |
55 |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
for export |
- |
- |
55 |
55 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
61 |
2 |
112 |
175 |
|
Indexes |
||||
|
2001 production as % of average: |
85 |
|||
|
2001/02 import requirement as % of average: |
88 |
