BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Area: 1 247 000 sq.km
Climate: Coastal desert, south-west semi-arid, rest tropical wet-dry, with rains in Sept.-April
Population: 11.07 million (1996 estimate), G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 970 (1990)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; infrastructure devastated by prolonged civil strife
Logistics: Inadequate port, rail and road facilities
Major foodcrops: Roots, tubers, maize, plantains
Marketing year: April/March; Lean season: January-March
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 35 percent
CURRENT SITUATION
Harvesting of 1996 cereal crops is complete. Aggregate production is estimated at some 500 000 tons, including 398 000 tons of maize and 102 000 tons of sorghum/millet. This is above average and 68 percent higher than last year. The production of pulses, grown either with maize or with root and tuber crops, is estimated to have increased by 24 percent to some 55 000 tons. Recovery in production is attributed to abundant and relatively well distributed rainfall during the growing season, the provision of tools and seeds and no serious outbreaks of pests or diseases.
Despite increased production, the food supply situation will remain tight in the 1996/97 marketing year. The cereal import requirements for 1996/97 is estimated at 442 000 tons, including 200 000 tons of commercial imports. Some 129 000 tons of cereal are required as emergency food aid for an estimated 1.375 million people. This can be covered by supplies already in the country or in the pipeline. Total food aid pledges amount to 134 000 tons so far, with deliveries standing at 74 000 tons.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 3 | 2 | 330 | 335 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 110 | 100 | 90 | 300 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 20 | 15 | 60 | 95 |
| 1996 Production | 3 | 5 | 500 | 508 |
| 1996 Utilization | 183 | 55 | 712 | 950 |
| Food use | 182 | 55 | 617 | 854 |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 87 | 88 |
| Possible stock build-up | - | - | 8 | 8 |
| 1996/97 Import Requirement | 180 | 50 | 212 | 442 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 80 | 30 | 90 | 200 |
| Food aid needs | 100 | 20 | 122 | 242 |
| of which: Emergency | 47 | - | 82 | 129 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 34 | 15 | 85 | 134 |
| of which: Delivered | 1 | 10 | 63 | 74 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 15 | 4 | 51 | 70 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1996 production as % of normal: | 152 | |||
| 1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: | 147 | |||
| 1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 255 | |||