Area:
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28 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October
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Population:
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1.13 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 240 (1997)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important
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Major foodcrops:
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Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers
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Marketing year:
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November/October; Lean season: May-August
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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64 percent
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Following reduced rains in mid-June, precipitation became widespread and abundant in late June and early July. The growing season started in mid-May over most parts of the country. Rains decreased in late May, picked up in early June but remained well below normal in mid-June. By contrast, they were above normal in late June and early July, permitting widespread plantings of coarse grains and the desalination of swamp rice fields where the rice seedlings, now in seedbeds, will be transplanted in July/August.
The security situation remains calm following a coup on 7 May. Most displaced people following earlier fighting have returned home. A CILSS/Government crop Assessment Mission in late April estimated aggregate 1998 cereal production at a below average 131 300 tonnes, including 87 200 tonnes of rice (in paddy) and 44 100 tonnes of coarse grains. In order to avoid wide fluctuations of the price of rice, the Government decided on 28 May to impose price controls. The price is tentatively fixed at 11 000 to 12 000 CFA per 50 kg bag until 28 November. Food distributions are underway in the Oio and Cacheu regions for more than 100 000 beneficiaries. In Bissau, they have reached almost 200 000 beneficiaries.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 117 | 62 | 179 |
| Normal Imports | 7 | 60 | - | 67 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 3 | - | 4 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | - | 63 | 53 | 116 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 87 | 44 | 131 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 58 | 44 | 102 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 5 | 9 | 14 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 7 | 133 | 74 | 214 |
| Food Use | 7 | 118 | 57 | 182 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | 10 | 17 | 27 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 7 | 70 | 10 | 87 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 5 | 50 | - | 55 |
| Food aid needs | 2 | 20 | 10 | 32 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
| of which: Delivered | - | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 6 | 104 | 50 | 161 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 73 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 130 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 800 |
