FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 SWAZILAND 43

SWAZILAND

Area:

17 000 sq.km

Climate:

Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September

Population:

0.96 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 1 170 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa

Major foodcrops:

Maize

Marketing year:

May/April; Lean season: February-April

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

55 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Prospects for the 2000 cereal crops are poor. This mainly reflects excessive rains in December and severe flooding in early February, which also resulted in extensive damage to infrastructure and housing. Preliminary official forecast indicate a decline of 37 percent in this year's maize production to a below average level of 72 000 tonnes. Other crops that have been seriously affected by the heavy rains are beans and sweet potatoes.

The overall food supply position remains satisfactory. Cereal import requirement of 72 000 tonnes for the marketing year 1999/2000 (May/April) have already been covered by commercial imports.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production 1 3 116 120

Normal Imports 25 2 20 47

of which: Structural food aid 8 - 1 9

1999/2000 Domestic Availability - 2 113 115

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 3 113 116

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - 2 113 115

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

1999/2000 Utilization 40 10 137 187

Food Use 40 10 110 160

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - - 20 20

Exports or Re-exports - - 2 2

Possible stock build up - - 5 5

1999/2000 Import Requirement 40 8 24 72

Anticipated commercial imports 40 8 24 72

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) 42 11 115 167

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 97

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 153

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: -

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

Area:	17 000 sq.km
Climate:	Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September
Population:	0.96 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 1 170 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa
Major foodcrops:	Maize
Marketing year:	May/April; Lean season: February-April
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	55 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	1	3	116	120
Normal Imports	25	2	20	47
of which: Structural food aid	8	-	1	9
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	-	2	113	115
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	3	113	116
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	2	113	115
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Utilization	40	10	137	187
Food Use	40	10	110	160
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	20	20
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	2	2
Possible stock build up	-	-	5	5
1999/2000 Import Requirement	40	8	24	72
Anticipated commercial imports	40	8	24	72
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)	42	11	115	167
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				97
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				153
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-