FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 05/97

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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Area:

623 000 sq.km

Climate:

North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; one rainy season: March-November

Population:

3.31 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 340 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

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

Logistics:

Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: May-July

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

21 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

Rainfall started in early March over the south but remained limited. Rains increased and moved towards the north during the second and third dekads, allowing the planting of the main maize crop in the south and land preparation for the planting of rice and cassava in the whole country.

For the 1997 marketing year (January/December), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 39 000 tons, mainly wheat and rice. There are 27 400 assisted Sudanese refugees in the country. Their number has increased slightly due to a small influx of refugees from the camps in eastern Zaire. Approximately 5 000 Chadians also receive food assistance. Their nutritional status is reported to be adequate.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1997 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)


Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

-

5

89

94

Normal Imports

30

5

5

40

of which: Structural food aid

-

1

2

3

1997 Domestic Availability

-

6

99

105

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

9

99

108

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

6

99

105

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1997 Utilization

30

11

103

144

Food Use

29

10

89

128

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

1

1

Non-food use

1

1

14

16

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1997 Import Requirement

30

5

4

39

Anticipated commercial imports

30

5

3

38

Food aid needs

-

-

1

1

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

-

-

-

-

of which: Delivered

-

-

-

-

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

1

1

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

9

3

27

39

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




115

1997 import requirement as % of normal:




98

1997 food aid requirement as % of normal:




33


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