FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2002 BOTSWANA 3

Area:	567 000 sq.km
Climate:	South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.
Population:	1.66 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$3 300 (2000)
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

Harvesting of the 2002 cereal crops, mainly sorghum, is about to start. Prospects are uncertain. Despite adequate precipitation in recent months, a prolonged dry spell in January is likely to have affected yields, in particular those of maize crop.

The overall food supply situation remains favourable. The country imports most of its food requirements.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2001/02 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	1	-	33	34
Previous five years average imports	65	-	165	230
2001/02 Domestic Availability	-	-	16	16
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	12	12
2001 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	12	12
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	4	4
2001/02 Utilization	70	-	213	283
Food use	63	-	211	274
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	2	2
Exports or re-exports	7	-	-	7
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2001/02 Import Requirement	70	-	197	267
Anticipated commercial imports	70	-	197	267
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)	38	-	127	165
Indexes
2001 Production as % of average:				35
2001/02 Import requirement as % of average:				116

FAO/GIEWS - April 2002