BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Area: 96 000 sq.km
Climate: Tropical wet; rainfall increases with altitude and towards southern parts of the islands
Population: 133 000 (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 250 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago
Logistics: Ports and roads adequate
Major foodcrops: Bananas, breadfruit, cocoyam
Marketing year: January/December
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 36 percent
CURRENT SITUATION
The staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains. The country imports around 10 000 tons of wheat and rice annually. The cereal import requirement in 1996 was estimated at 12 000 tons, including some 8 000 tons as food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | - | - | - |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 4 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 1995 Production | - | - | - | - |
| 1996 Utilization | 4 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| Food use | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 |
| Other uses | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 1996 Import Requirement | 4 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 2 | 2 | - | 4 |
| Food aid needs | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 1 | 5 | - | 6 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 30 | 30 | 23 | 83 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1996 import requirement as % of normal: | 100 | |||
| 1996 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 160 | |||