Cereal production in 1997 is estimated at 840 000 tonnes, which is about average. Nevertheless, the high number of refugees in some of the main producing areas is causing substantial damages, including soil degradation and deforestation and may have limited production activities in these areas.
Latest estimates put the total number of Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees in Guinea at 405 000, notably located in the border areas and in Conakry. Food assistance is provided to 60 000 Sierra Leonean and 60 000 Liberian refugees amongst the most vulnerable. About 45 000 children also receive food assistance through school feeding. Organized repatriation is underway for the Liberian refugees and will be completed by the end of the year. The presence of refugees is increasing the demand for food items which results in rapid depletion of stocks available and price increases. The cereal import requirement for 1998 is estimated at 400 000 tonnes.