BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Area: 200 000 sq.km
Climate: North-east is semi-arid, rest of the country is tropical wet-dry; main rainy period is March-October
Population: 20.62 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 200 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country: -
Logistics: Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railways inadequate
Major foodcrops: Roots, tubers, plantains, pulses, maize, millet, sorghum
Marketing year: January/December; Lean season: April-May
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 35 percent
CURRENT SITUATION
Cereal and pulse crops of the 1996 main season are being harvested. Excessive rains in northern parts during July caused floods and landslides in Soroti, Kumi and Mbale districts and resulted in localized crop losses.
Overall, abundant rains during the season benefited development of the crops and allowed late planting of maize, rice, millet and root crops increasing the overall area planted. Generally, crops are reported to be in good condition and satisfactory yields are being obtained. However, late planted crops were stressed by dry spells. The output of the secondary season crop, harvested earlier in the year was normal. The 1996 aggregate production of cereals is anticipated to be similar to last year’s record. The main maize crop is forecast at 939 000 tons, which covers domestic consumption and leaves one-third of production for export. The output of millet and sorghum is forecast at 640 000 tons and 405 000 tons, respectively.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 9 | 44 | 1 695 | 1 748 |
| Normal imports | 18 | - | 10 | 28 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 15 | - | 10 | 25 |
| 1996 Domestic availability | 9 | 55 | 1 999 | 2 063 |
| 1996 Production | 9 | 55 | 1 984 | 2 048 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| 1996 Utilization | 24 | 61 | 2 019 | 2 104 |
| Food use | 23 | 61 | 1 372 | 1 456 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | (10) | (10) |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 367 | 368 |
| Exports | - | - | 280 | 280 |
| 1996 Import Requirement | 15 | 6 | 20 | 41 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 13 | 6 | - | 19 |
| Food aid needs | 2 | - | 20 | 22 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 2 | 1 | 21 | 24 |
| of which: Delivered | 2 | 1 | 21 | 24 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| for export | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 1 | 3 | 63 | 67 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1996 production as % of normal: | 117 | |||
| 1996 import requirement as % of normal: | 146 | |||
| 1996 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 88 | |||