BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Area: 1 030 000 sq.km
Climate: Mostly a Sahelian country; semi-arid fringe in extreme south with rains in June- September
Population: 2.29 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 480 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics: Port capacity adequate, though storms during January-March sometimes cause difficulties.
Major foodcrops: Wheat, rice, millet and sorghum
Marketing year: November/October; Lean season: July-September
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 54 percent
CURRENT SITUATION
Widespread rains over most producing areas in late August benefited crop development. Following an erratic start of the rainy season, precipitation increased in late July and progressed over the main producing areas in mid and late August. First plantings are elongating while late plantings or replantings are emerging. Pastures are generally satisfactory.
In early August, small Desert Locust swarms and groups appeared and laid over a wide area in southern Mauritania. In mid-August, bands of hoppers began to be reported and treated. During the third dekad, most infestations appeared to have shifted from south-eastern areas to the south-west between the R'Kiz and Nouakchott area where several swarms laid. In the south-west, hatching will continue to occur and numbers are likely to increase. Elsewhere, small scale breeding may be in progress. Control operations are underway.
Following two successive bumper crops, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Substantial imports of rice arrived in May. Although prices of imported wheat increased slightly, markets remain well supplied. In the 1995/96 marketing year (November/October), cereal imports for domestic use and re-export are estimated at 250 000 tons and food aid requirement at 50 000 tons. Food assistance is being distributed to Tuareg refugees in camps in the east of the country. Their number is currently estimated at 28 000 compared to 80 000 in late 1994. Over a period of 14 months, 14 110 refugees returned to Mali. Of those remaining, about 1 000 per month are anticipated to return. Mauritanian refugees in Senegal, following civil disturbances along the Senegal river in 1989, will start to return to Mauritania. Out of the 60 000 refugees currently in Senegal, a first contingent of 4 000 was expected to return to Mauritania from mid-June, but the operation has been delayed due to logistical problems.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 37 | 88 | 125 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 170 | 75 | 8 | 253 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 40 | 10 | 8 | 58 |
| 1995/96 Domestic availability | - | 41 | 139 | 180 |
| 1995 Production | - | 36 | 139 | 175 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 170 | 121 | 139 | 430 |
| Food use | 127 | 115 | 112 | 354 |
| of which: Local purchase requirement | (-) | (-) | (6) | (6) |
| Non-food use | 28 | 4 | 22 | 54 |
| Re-exports | 10 | 2 | 5 | 17 |
| Possible stock build up | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 170 1/ | 80 | - | 250 1/ |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 130 1/ | 70 | - | 200 1/ |
| Food aid needs | 40 | 10 | - | 50 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 13 | 4 | 3 | 20 |
| of which: Delivered | 13 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
| Donor-financed local purchases | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 55 | 50 | 49 | 154 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 140 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | 99 | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 86 | |||