FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 05/97

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CONGO

Area:

342 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet climate in north, tropical wet-dry in south with main rainy season in October-April

Population:

2.66 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 680 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; tropical coastal country

Logistics:

Ports adequate; roads inadequate during rainy season

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, fruit

Marketing year:

July/June; Lean season: September-November

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

19 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

Rainfall remained low but widespread in January and February in the south and was abundant over the entire country in March and early April. The second maize crop is growing satisfactorily.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains, production of which is about 650 000 tons. Markets are well supplied with these crops. Cereal production is estimated at some 27 000 tons, mainly maize. For the 1996/97 marketing year (July/June), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 123 000 tons, mostly wheat, including a structural food aid requirement of 2 000 tons.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1996/97 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)


Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

-

1

22

23

Normal Imports

80

40

2

122

of which: Structural food aid

1

6

-

7

1996/97 Domestic Availability

-

1

26

27

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

1

26

27

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

1

26

27

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1996/97 Utilization

90

31

29

150

Food Use

88

31

22

141

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

2

-

7

9

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1996/97 Import Requirement

90

30

3

123

Anticipated commercial imports

90

28

3

121

Food aid needs

-

2

-

2

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

-

26

-

26

of which: Delivered

-

13

-

13

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

33

12

8

53

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




117

1996/97 import requirement as % of normal:




101

1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal:




29


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