FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 05/97

Previous Page TOC Next Page

BURKINA FASO

Area:

274 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry in south, semi-arid in north; one rainy season: May-October

Population:

10.56 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 230 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; sahelian land-locked country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate during rainy season; adequate rail link to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Major foodcrops:

Millet, sorghum, pulses, maize

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: July-September

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

73 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevail. The recently released final estimates of 1996 cereal production indicate an aggregate output of cereals of 2 482 000 tons, which is slightly above the 2 461 000 tons estimated by a joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission last year. This is 7.5 percent above 1995 (2 308 000 tons) and 1 percent above the average for the last five years. This increase in aggregate production is due to an increase in all crops except fonio (- 8 percent). Maize, rice and millet production increased respectively by 39, 33 and 10 percent compared to 1995/96. 18 provinces registered an increase in production, notably in Boulgou (+ 83 percent), Yatenga (+ 68 percent), Passoré (+ 51 percent), Sourou (+ 48 percent) and Soum (+ 31 percent). By contrast, production decreased in Kouritenga (- 60 percent), Oudalan, Poni, Samnatenga and Séno (around - 30 percent).

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Cereal prices declined in late 1996 and early 1997 following the arrival of recently harvested crops or imported cereals from Mali in the north. They remained higher than average in several provinces due to substantial exports to the capital or to neighbouring countries. As a result, some departments may face some food supply difficulties notably in the north. The government has provided cereals for the "banques de céréales" in the areas at risk. The level of the national security stock is currently at about 13 000 tons but 22 000 tons are scheduled to be bought to reach its recommended level of 35 000 tons. Already the purchase of 14 000 tons is covered by food aid contributions from donors (8 000 tons) or from governmental funding (6 000 tons) Deficits in northern provinces can be covered by transfer of cereals from the south, for which external assistance may be required. Cereal needs for ongoing food aid programmes can also be covered by local purchases. Tuareg refugees from Mali are currently receiving food assistance. Their total number has decreased to 25 000 following repatriation.

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


Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

-

60

2400

2460

Normal Imports

40

75

35

150

of which: Structural food aid

5

3

25

33

1996/97 Domestic Availability

-

74

2 500

2 574

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

112

2 370

2 482

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

74

2 370

2 444

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

130

130

1996/97 Utilization

40

137

2 520

2 697

Food Use

37

109

2 129

2 275

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

25

25

Non-food use

1

13

366

380

Exports or Re-exports

-

5

25

30

Possible stock build up

2

10

-

12

1996/97 Import Requirement

40

63

20

123

Anticipated commercial imports

35

60

10

105

Food aid needs

5

3

10

18

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

11

9

6

26

of which: Delivered

6

3

1

10

Donor-financed local purchases

-

-

9

9

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

3

10

202

215

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




101

1996/97 import requirement as % of normal:




82

1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal:




55


Previous Page TOC Next Page