CAMEROON (10 May)
Satellite imagery indicates that the rainy season started on time, allowing land preparation and sowing of the first 2004 maize crop, due for harvest from July. Following overall favourable growing conditions, cereal production in 2003 is estimated to have increased by 10 percent to 1.4 million tonnes. Output of maize and sorghum, by far the most important cereals, both are estimated to have increased by some 10 percent to 0.7 million tonnes and 0.58 million tonnes, respectively.
Cereal import requirements for 2004, mainly wheat and rice, are estimated at some 387 000 tonnes, slightly increased from the previous year. Food aid in rice is estimated at 2 000 tonnes. Declining oil production should be partially offset this year by higher prices.