FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 MADAGASCAR 26

MADAGASCAR

Area:

582 000 sq.km

Climate:

Eastern coast is tropical wet, the rest tropical wet-dry. Rainy season: October-March; tropical cyclones

Population:

14.78 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 250 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country

Logistics:

Dilapidated roads and lack of spare parts and tyres

Major foodcrops:

Rice, roots, tubers, maize, fruit

Marketing year:

April/March; Lean season: February/March

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

60 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvesting of the 1999 main rice crop is completed. Despite delayed rains and prolonged dry spells in some central areas, rainfall has been generally abundant during the season. Heavy rains in southwestern parts resulted in localized floods but overall benefited crop development. The incidence and negative impact of cyclones have been limited this season. Similarly, the locust situation has been generally calm. Control measures, coordinated by the Government and FAO teams, considerably restricted the impact of locust on crops. 1999 rice output is expected to be higher than last year.

The food supply situation is expected to improve during the 1999/2000 marketing year (April/March), particularly in drought-prone southern areas, where the price of rice increased last year. For the first time in recent years no department in the south will be classified as being in serious food supply difficulty.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production 7 2 476 152 2 635

Normal Imports 48 53 10 111

of which: Structural food aid 13 11 10 34

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 12 1 734 164 1 910

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 12 2 550 161 2 723

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 12 1 734 161 1 907

Possible stock drawdown - - 3 3

1999/2000 Utilization 72 1 819 169 2 060

Food Use 71 1 804 136 2 011

of which: local purchase requirement - 1 - -

Non-food use 1 10 23 34

Exports or Re-exports - - 10 10

Possible stock build up - 5 - 5

1999/2000 Import Requirement 60 85 5 150

Anticipated commercial imports 55 75 5 135

Food aid needs 5 10 - 15

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 6 - 2 7

of which: Delivered 6 - 1 6

Donor-financed purchases - 1 - 1

of which: for local use - 1 - 1

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 5 122 9 136

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 103

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 135

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: 44

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	582 000 sq.km
Climate:	Eastern coast is tropical wet, the rest tropical wet-dry. Rainy season: October-March; tropical cyclones
Population:	14.78 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 250 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country
Logistics:	Dilapidated roads and lack of spare parts and tyres
Major foodcrops:	Rice, roots, tubers, maize, fruit
Marketing year:	April/March; Lean season: February/March
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	60 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	7	2 476	152	2 635
Normal Imports	48	53	10	111
of which: Structural food aid	13	11	10	34
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	12	1 734	164	1 910
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	12	2 550	161	2 723
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	12	1 734	161	1 907
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	3	3
1999/2000 Utilization	72	1 819	169	2 060
Food Use	71	1 804	136	2 011
of which: local purchase requirement	-	1	-	-
Non-food use	1	10	23	34
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	10	10
Possible stock build up	-	5	-	5
1999/2000 Import Requirement	60	85	5	150
Anticipated commercial imports	55	75	5	135
Food aid needs	5	10	-	15
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	6	-	2	7
of which: Delivered	6	-	1	6
Donor-financed purchases	-	1	-	1
of which: for local use	-	1	-	1
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	5	122	9	136
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				103
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				135
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				44