FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 CAPE VERDE 7

CAPE VERDE

Area:

4 000 sq.km

Climate:

Semi-arid; rainfall increases with altitude; rainy season: July-December

Population:

428 000 (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 960 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago

Logistics:

Port capacity and roads adequate

Major foodcrops:

Maize, rice, pulses

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: n.a. since 90 percent of requirements covered by imports

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

57 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

First rains have been registered in early July on Santiago and Fogo islands. However, these early rains remained insufficiant to allow widespread plantings of maize. Due to poor maize harvests in recent years, seed availability is likely to be a problem in some areas.

The final production figure has been estimated at 4 900 tonnes, which is equal to the 1997 level but below average. Following successive poor harvests, some sections of the rural population may need assistance in food and/or seeds for the next season. The overall food supply situation, however, remains satisfactory as the bulk of food is imported. The cereal import requirement for 1998/99 amounts to 95 000 tonnes. 91 000 tonnes have been pledged of which 44 000 tonnes have been delivered so far.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1998/99 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - - 6 6

Normal Imports 20 20 45 85

of which: Structural food aid 15 15 25 55

1998/99 Domestic Availability 2 - 8 10

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

1998 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 5 5

Possible stock drawdown 2 - 3 5

1998/99 Utilization 22 25 58 105

Food Use 21 24 57 102

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 1 1 3

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1998/99 Import Requirement 20 25 50 95

Anticipated commercial imports 5 10 25 40

Food aid needs 15 15 25 55

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 33 18 41 91

of which: Delivered 8 14 23 44

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 49 56 134 239

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal: 82

1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: 112

1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: 100

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	4 000 sq.km
Climate:	Semi-arid; rainfall increases with altitude; rainy season: July-December
Population:	428 000 (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 960 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago
Logistics:	Port capacity and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:	Maize, rice, pulses
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: n.a. since 90 percent of requirements covered by imports
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	57 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	-	6	6
Normal Imports	20	20	45	85
of which: Structural food aid	15	15	25	55
1998/99 Domestic Availability	2	-	8	10
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	5	5
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	5	5
Possible stock drawdown	2	-	3	5
1998/99 Utilization	22	25	58	105
Food Use	21	24	57	102
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	1	1	3
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1998/99 Import Requirement	20	25	50	95
Anticipated commercial imports	5	10	25	40
Food aid needs	15	15	25	55
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	33	18	41	91
of which: Delivered	8	14	23	44
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	49	56	134	239
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				82
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:				112
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:				100