| Area: | 741 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry, one rainy season (November-April) |
| Population: | 10.041 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 400 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Imports through Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); inadequate rail and road connections |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, roots, tubers |
| Marketing year: | May/April; Lean season: March-May |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 70 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The 1997 cereal production is estimated at 1.1 million tons, including a maize output of 0.96 million tons, 32 percent lower than last year. This is the result of excessive rains during the growing season and inadequate fertilizer supplies. The output of paddy and sorghum is also forecast to decline by some 14 percent and 6 percent, respectively, from 1996 levels. In contrast, millet production is forecast to remain unchanged at some 55 000 tons.
Reflecting the reduced domestic availability, the food supply situation for the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to be tighter than in the previous year. However, cereal import requirements of some 320 000 tons are expected to be covered through commercial channels. Much of the maize imports are expected to originate from countries in the sub-region, particularly South Africa and Zimbabwe. However, given a general concern in the sub-region about a possible drought during the upcoming season attributed to El Niño, a larger quantity of maize might be secured from elsewhere.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
53 |
14 |
1 348 |
1 415 |
|
Normal Imports |
35 |
4 |
65 |
104 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
25 |
- |
45 |
70 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
65 |
10 |
1 172 |
1 247 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
60 |
12 |
1 052 |
1 124 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
60 |
8 |
1 052 |
1 120 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
5 |
2 |
120 |
127 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
110 |
15 |
1 444 |
1 569 |
|
Food Use |
105 |
13 |
1 142 |
1 260 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
(8) |
(8) |
|
Non-food use |
5 |
2 |
252 |
259 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
50 |
50 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
45 |
5 |
272 |
322 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
45 |
5 |
272 |
322 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
2 |
7 |
9 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Donor-financed local purchases |
- |
- |
8 |
8 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
11 |
1 |
114 |
126 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
79 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
310 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |
