FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - July 2003 p.35

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  LESOTHO

An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in April forecast the 2003 cereal production at 89 100 tonnes, about 65 percent above the poor level of the previous year. Despite the improved production the country needs to import 321 000 tonnes of cereals to cover domestic consumption requirements, including 32 000 tonnes of food aid for vulnerable groups and those who gathered a reduced harvest.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2003/04 MARKETING YEAR (April/March)
 WheatRiceCoarse GrainsTotal Cereals
 [thousand tonnes]
Previous year production14-4054
Previous five years average production20-107127
Previous year imports57-177234
Previous five years average imports593164226
2003/04 Domestic Availability31-6899
2003 Production (rice in paddy terms)24-6589
2003 Production (rice in milled terms)24-6589
Possible stock drawdown6-310
2003/04 Utilization96-324419
Food use94-320414
Non-food use2-46
Exports or re-exports----
Possible stock build up----
2003/04 Import Requirement65-256321
Anticipated commercial imports65-224289
of which: received or contracted--2222
Food aid needs--3232
Current Aid Position    
Food aid pledges--1212
of which: delivered----
Donor-financed purchases--22
of which: for local use--22
for export----
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)42-143185
Indexes[percentage]
2003 Prod. compared to average (rice paddy terms)122-6170
2003/04 Import requirement compared to average110-156142
Cereal share of total calorie intake   78
Additional Information    
Major foodcropsmaize; sorghum; vegetables
Lean seasonFebruary-April
Population (000s)2 237   
GNP per capita in 2001 (US$)530   

FAO/GIEWS - July 2003

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