|
Area:
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387 000 sq.km
|
|
Climate:
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Centre and north-east tropical wet-dry; south and west
semi-arid; rainy season: November-March
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|
Population:
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12.25 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$
750 (1997)
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|
Specific characteristics of the country:
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Land-locked country; exporter and importer of grain
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|
Logistics:
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Exports and imports through Mozambique or South Africa
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|
Major foodcrops:
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Maize, wheat, millet, sorghum
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|
Marketing year:
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April/March; Lean season: February-April
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|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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66 percent
|
Harvest of the 1999 wheat crop is well advanced. Reflecting an increase in the area planted, official forecasts point to an output of 320 000 tonnes, a significant increase on last year, also a record. However, unseasonable widespread rains in the last week of October disrupted harvesting operations. If they persist, they may result in crop and quality losses. At the forecast level of production, only limited quantities of imported wheat, to improve the flour quality, will be necessary next year.
Rains in late October improved soil conditions for planting of the 1999/2000 coarse grains, mainly maize, which is underway. Early prospects are uncertain. Relatively low support prices coupled with high level of inflation may result in reductions in the area planted.
The 1999 maize output was estimated at 1.52 million tonnes, higher than the reduced crop of the previous year but well below average. Production was adversely affected by excessive rains during the season. Imports of maize in marketing year1999/2000 (April/March) are estimated at 450 000 tonnes, mostly on commercial basis. Commercial imports of 200 000 tonnes were reported by the end of October. The food supply situation is tight in areas where a poor harvest was gathered and in urban areas due to sharply increased food prices and record levels of inflation.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
240 |
4 |
1 880 |
2 124 |
|
Normal Imports |
55 |
20 |
- |
75 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
|
1999/2000 Domestic Availability |
320 |
- |
1 718 |
2 038 |
|
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
320 |
- |
1 688 |
2 008 |
|
1999 Production (rice in milled terms) |
320 |
- |
1 688 |
2 008 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
30 |
30 |
|
1999/2000 Utilization |
390 |
25 |
2 168 |
2 583 |
|
Food Use |
375 |
25 |
1 667 |
2 067 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
15 |
- |
501 |
516 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1999/2000 Import Requirement |
70 |
25 |
450 |
545 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
70 |
25 |
450 |
545 |
|
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) |
31 |
2 |
136 |
169 |
|
Indexes |
||||
|
1999 production as % of normal: |
95 |
|||
|
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: |
727 |
|||
|
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |
