Area:
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1 220 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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From north to south: arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October
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Population:
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10.0 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 260 (1997)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked sahelian country
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important; rail link to Dakar (Senegal)
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Major foodcrops:
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Millet, sorghum, rice, maize
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Marketing year:
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November/October; Lean season: July-September
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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75 percent
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Abundant rains in early July benefitted crop development. Rains started in April in the extreme south and progressed northwards in May and June. They became widespread and abundant in the west in late June and over most producing areas in early July. Plantings are well underway and pastures are regenerating. Seed availability is adequate following the 1998 record harvest.
Control operations against grain eating birds have been undertaken in the Office du Niger area. Isolated Desert Locusts may be present in a few areas in the Adrar des Iforas.
1998 cereal production is estimated at a record 2.5 million tonnes, 13 percent above average and 3 percent over the record in 1994. The food supply situation is satisfactory and prices of cereals are stable. The early warning system (SAP) classified the arrondissements of Farach, Gargarde and Raz El Mä (in Goundam area), Bourem central and Bamba (in Bourem area) and Gao central as at risk of economic difficulties, but no food aid distributions are required.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 4 | 505 | 1 703 | 2 212 |
| Normal Imports | 50 | 40 | 5 | 95 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 15 | - | 2 | 17 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 9 | 478 | 1 827 | 2 314 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 9 | 688 | 1 827 | 2 524 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 9 | 468 | 1 827 | 2 304 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 10 | - | 10 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 59 | 508 | 1 827 | 2 394 |
| Food Use | 58 | 395 | 1 497 | 1 950 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 83 | 280 | 364 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | 30 | 30 | 60 |
| Possible stock build up | 1 | - | 20 | 21 |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 50 | 30 | - | 80 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 40 | 30 | - | 70 |
| Food aid needs | 10 | - | - | 10 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 3 | - | 3 | 6 |
| of which: Delivered | 2 | - | 3 | 5 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 6 | 40 | 150 | 195 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 114 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 84 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 59 |
