FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 CONGO, REPUBLIC OF 12

CONGO, REPUBLIC OF

Area:

342 000 sq.km

Climate:

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

Population:

3.20 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 660 (1997)

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:

Jan./Dec.; Lean season: September-November

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

19 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Renewed fighting in mid-May between Government forces and Ninja militia resulted in fresh population displacements within Brazzaville. It is estimated that at least 10 000 people have been displaced from the Mukundu residential area near the airport to the north. Heightened insecurity has also displaced residents from the Mikalou and Talangai areas of Brazzaville. The displacement of people and disruption of marketing activities have seriously affected the food supply situation.

An estimated 60 000 of the 200 000 residents of southern Brazzaville's Bacongo and Makelekele districts displaced by conflict in December have returned from Pool region and northern Brazzaville since 1 May. The health and nutritional situation of IDPs is reported to be "serious". A new influx of refugees is now reported in DRC following renewed fighting in Congo.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - 1 5 6

Normal Imports 80 30 4 114

of which: Structural food aid - 7 1 8

1999 Domestic Availability 10 - 4 14

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 1 4 5

1998 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 4 4

Possible stock drawdown 10 - - 10

1999 Utilization 100 30 14 144

Food Use 98 28 12 138

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 2 2 2 6

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999 Import Requirement 90 30 10 130

Anticipated commercial imports 90 20 5 115

Food aid needs - 10 5 15

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 2 - - 2

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 31 9 4 43

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal: 83

1999 import requirement as % of normal: 114

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: 188

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	342 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet climate in north, tropical wet-dry in south with main rainy season in October-April
Population:	3.20 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 660 (1997)
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:	Jan./Dec.; Lean season: September-November
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	19 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	1	5	6
Normal Imports	80	30	4	114
of which: Structural food aid	-	7	1	8
1999 Domestic Availability	10	-	4	14
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	1	4	5
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	4	4
Possible stock drawdown	10	-	-	10
1999 Utilization	100	30	14	144
Food Use	98	28	12	138
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	2	2	2	6
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999 Import Requirement	90	30	10	130
Anticipated commercial imports	90	20	5	115
Food aid needs	-	10	5	15
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	2	-	-	2
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	31	9	4	43
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				83
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				114
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				188