| Area: | 569 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | North-east is semi-arid to arid; mountainous central and south-western areas have two rainy seasons (March-May and November December). |
| Population: | 28.85 million (1996 estimate), GNP per caput U.S.$ 280 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; regular importer and occasional exporter of grain. |
| Logistics: | Good port (Mombasa) and extensive rail and road network. Gateway to Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | October/September |
| Lean season: | June-July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 56 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The long rains season maize crop, currently nearing maturity, benefited from above-normal rains in late March and April. These rains counteracted somewhat the adverse impact on yields of delayed plantings due to the late start of the season. Dry conditions in May again affected yield prospects except in some areas near Lake Victoria which received good rains in late June. An average maize crop is anticipated. The harvesting of both long-rains coarse grains and wheat will begin in August. The output of wheat is expected to increase, reflecting above-average plantings and satisfactory weather conditions. Aggregate production of cereals, including the already harvested short-rains crops, mostly coarse grains, could exceed last year’s harvest but will be well below the 1994 record harvest. Plantings of beans and Irish potatoes have been reduced. Overall, the food supply situation remains tight and this is reflected in increased food prices. The distribution of food aid continues in pastoral and marginal agriculture areas affected by a succession of drought years. This has eased the difficult food situation.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
241 |
49 |
2 587 |
2 877 |
|
Normal Imports |
311 |
57 |
312 |
680 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
74 |
- |
- |
74 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
350 |
39 |
2 726 |
3 115 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
350 |
58 |
2 393 |
2 801 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
350 |
39 |
2 393 |
2 782 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
333 |
333 |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
709 |
159 |
3 447 |
4 315 |
|
Food Use |
677 |
157 |
2 880 |
3 714 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
5 |
5 |
|
Non-food use |
32 |
2 |
567 |
601 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
359 |
120 |
721 |
1 200 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
309 |
120 |
503 |
932 |
|
Food aid needs |
50 |
- |
218 |
268 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
44 |
- |
49 |
93 |
|
of which: Delivered |
25 |
- |
35 |
60 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
5 |
5 |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
|
for export |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
23 |
5 |
99 |
127 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
97 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
176 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
362 |