FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.16
| Area: | 112 620 sq km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (Mar.-Jul. and Oct.) and one in north (May-Oct.) |
| Population: | 6.43 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput US$360 (2001) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports, roads, rail adequate; gateway to Niger |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, maize |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-June |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 37 percent |
The prospects for the 2002 cereal crop are favourable reflecting overall good weather during the growing season. In the south the first maize crop has been harvested while the second maize crop, is flowering/cobbing. In the North, harvesting of millet and sorghum is underway, while rice harvesting is due to start soon.
Following last year's good cereal output and the arrival of the first season crops on the markets, the food supply situation remains satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for 2002 (including re-exports of 30 000 tonnes of rice and wheat) is estimated at 144 000 tonnes, including 14 000 tonnes of food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 34 | 855 | 889 |
| Previous five years average imports | 53 | 97 | 4 | 154 |
| 2002 Domestic Availability | - | 29 | 910 | 939 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 49 | 855 | 904 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 29 | 855 | 884 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 55 | 55 |
| 2002 Utilization | 58 | 113 | 912 | 1 083 |
| Food use | 52 | 81 | 647 | 780 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | 7 | 210 | 218 |
| Exports or re-exports | 5 | 25 | 55 | 85 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 Import Requirement | 58 | 84 | 2 | 144 1/ |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 55 | 75 | - | 130 |
| Food aid needs | 3 | 9 | 2 | 14 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 3 | 11 | 3 | 17 |
| of which: delivered | 0 | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 8 | 13 | 101 | 121 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 102 | |||
| 2002 Import requirement as % of average: | 94 |