FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.36
| Area: | 36 125 sq km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 1.23 million (2003 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$160 (2001) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: May-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 64 percent |
After substantial rains in mid-June, precipitation decreased in July, delaying transplanting of rice from seedbeds to swamp areas. Precipitation resumed in early August and remained abundant until October, allowing transplanting of rice to continue.
A joint FAO/WFP Crop Assessment Mission which visited the country from 21 to 26 October estimated 2002 aggregate cereal production at some 147 000 tonnes (rice in paddy equivalent), which is 11 percent below last year's output and 5 percent below the average for the previous five years.
Following the arrival of the first season crops on the markets, the overall food supply situation remains satisfactory. However, the food situation of people living in the structural deficit areas along the northern border with Senegal should be closely monitored.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 92 | 63 | 155 |
| Previous five years average imports | 10 | 53 | 2 | 65 |
| 2002/03 Domestic Availability | - | 53 | 72 | 126 |
| 2002 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 80 | 67 | 147 |
| 2002 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 53 | 67 | 121 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| 2002/03 Utilization | 7 | 116 | 72 | 195 |
| Food use | 7 | 96 | 62 | 165 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | 10 | 11 | 20 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| Possible stock build up | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| 2002/03 Import Requirement | 7 | 63 | - | 69 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 5 | 60 | - | 65 |
| Food aid needs | 2 | 3 | - | 4 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 2 | 3 | - | 5 |
| of which: delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 6 | 78 | 50 | 134 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2002 Production as % of average: | 95 | |||
| 2002/03 Import requirement as % of average: | 106 |