FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 GUINEA 21

GUINEA

Area:

246 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: March/June to October/November

Population:

7.04 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 570 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; mountainous coastal country

Logistics:

Ports and roads inadequate

Major foodcrops:

Rice, roots and tubers, coarse grains

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: July-September

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

52 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Rains started in mid April over the south, which is slightly later than normal. They reached the north of the country by the end of the month and remained widespread in May and June, allowing adequate soil moisture for good crop development. The main crops have been planted in May and are developing satisfactorily.

Estimates put the total number of Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees in Guinea at 470 000, of which about 350 000 sierra leoneans and 120 000 Liberians. They are mainly in the south of the country, putting a high pressure on natural resources and reducing food availability in these areas. The 1999 cereal import requirement is estimated at 385 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - 720 200 920

Normal Imports - 110 260 370

of which: Structural food aid 1 32 2 35

1999 Domestic Availability - 478 214 692

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 716 209 925

1998 Production (rice in milled terms) - 478 209 687

Possible stock drawdown - - 5 5

1999 Utilization 115 738 224 1 077

Food Use 115 631 183 929

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - 107 41 148

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999 Import Requirement 115 260 10 385

Anticipated commercial imports 115 260 10 385

Food aid needs - - - -

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 13 3 1 18

of which: Delivered 13 3 1 18

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 16 90 26 132

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal: 101

1999 import requirement as % of normal: 104

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: -

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	246 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: March/June to October/November
Population:	7.04 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 570 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; mountainous coastal country
Logistics:	Ports and roads inadequate
Major foodcrops:	Rice, roots and tubers, coarse grains
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: July-September
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	52 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	720	200	920
Normal Imports	-	110	260	370
of which: Structural food aid	1	32	2	35
1999 Domestic Availability	-	478	214	692
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	716	209	925
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	478	209	687
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	5	5
1999 Utilization	115	738	224	1 077
Food Use	115	631	183	929
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	107	41	148
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999 Import Requirement	115	260	10	385
Anticipated commercial imports	115	260	10	385
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	13	3	1	18
of which: Delivered	13	3	1	18
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	16	90	26	132
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				101
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				104
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-