| Area: | 94 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry climate with one rainy season (November-May) |
| Population | 11.57 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 170 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country; importer and exporter of grain |
| Logistics: | Imports/exports through Beira (Mozambique) or Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, pulses, roots, tubers, rice |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: February-March |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 70 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Revised official estimates of the 1997 maize harvest point to an output of 1.5 million tons compared to about 2 million tons initially forecast. As a result, the food supply situation during the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to be tighter than anticipated. The country will need to import up to 300 000 tons of maize, part of which could be obtained from neighbouring countries such as Mozambique. Given concerns about a possible El Niño-induced drought in the upcoming crop season, the government has initiated contingency plans and is encouraging the planting of drought-resistant crops and improved water conservation.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
2 |
35 |
1 330 |
1 367 |
|
Normal Imports |
40 |
3 |
40 |
83 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
- |
- |
40 |
40 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
3 |
40 |
1 600 |
1 643 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
3 |
60 |
1 600 |
1 663 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
3 |
40 |
1 600 |
1 643 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
48 |
40 |
1 900 |
1 988 |
|
Food Use |
48 |
39 |
1 725 |
1 812 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
- |
1 |
175 |
176 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
45 |
- |
300 |
345 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
45 |
- |
150 |
195 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
150 |
150 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
40 |
- |
12 |
52 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
4 |
3 |
146 |
153 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
122 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
416 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
375 |
