|
Area: |
2.4 million sq.km |
|
Climate: |
From north to south, arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry. Rainy season May-October |
|
Population: |
27.15 million (1996 estimate); GNP per caput: n.a. |
|
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; cereal production mainly in eastern and central areas. |
|
Logistics: |
Roads, railway and river transport inadequate |
|
Major foodcrops: |
Sorghum, millet, wheat, roots and tubers, oils |
|
Marketing year: |
November/October; Lean season: September-October |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
51 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Adequate temperatures in February and March improved overall prospects for the 1997 wheat crop, now been harvested. The area planted is provisionally estimated unchanged from last year, the levels of the rivers were normal and the pest situation is considered calm. However, temperatures in January, when the crop was in the critical flowering stage, were above average and may have negatively affected yield potential. Production forecasts have now been revised upwards to 630 000 tons, 20 percent higher than last year and above average. An FAO Crop Assessment Mission visited the country in late March to make an on the spot appraisal of the crop.
Despite the overall satisfactory food supply position and the country’s exportable surplus of sorghum, food security is precarious in several areas of Darfur and Kordofan states, where the 1996 cereal harvest was reduced for the second consecutive year. In these vulnerable areas, the income from cash crops and livestock may be insufficient to purchase enough grain. The situation needs to be carefully monitored in the next months and contingency plans for provision of food assistance, either by locally grain purchases or by assistance with transport from surplus producing areas, should be made. In addition, food aid is required in southern states affected by a prolonged civil war. Emergency food aid for some 2.6 million displaced and war-affected persons in these areas is estimated at 52 176 tons (including 39 000 tons of cereals).
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
460 |
1 |
3 189 |
3 650 |
|
Normal Imports |
450 |
10 |
130 |
590 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
250 |
- |
- |
250 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
630 |
2 |
4 689 |
5 321 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
630 |
1 |
4 689 |
5 320 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
630 |
1 |
4 689 |
5 320 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
1 035 |
12 |
4 689 |
5 736 |
|
Food Use |
940 |
11 |
3 037 |
3 988 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Non-food use |
80 |
1 |
673 |
754 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
593 |
593 |
|
Possible stock build up |
15 |
- |
386 |
401 |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
395 |
10 |
- |
405 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
321 |
10 |
- |
331 |
|
Food aid needs |
74 |
- |
- |
74 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
20 |
- |
18 |
38 |
|
of which: Delivered |
20 |
- |
14 |
34 |
|
Donor-financed local purchases |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
35 |
0 |
112 |
147 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
146 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
69 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
30 |