FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 8

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Area:

623 000 sq.km

Climate:

North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November

Population:

3.57 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 320 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: May-July

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

21 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Rains began early in February. They remained generally below normal in March and April but improved significantly in May, notably over the eastern half of the country, benefiting recently planted coarse grains.

Following a good cereal harvest in 1998, the food supply situation is satisfactory. For the 1999 marketing year (January/December), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 34 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - 12 103 115

Normal Imports 30 3 2 35

of which: Structural food aid - - 1 1

1999 Domestic Availability - 12 128 140

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 19 128 147

1998 Production (rice in milled terms) - 12 128 140

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

1999 Utilization 30 15 129 174

Food Use 29 13 104 146

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 2 19 22

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - 6 6

1999 Import Requirement 30 3 1 34

Anticipated commercial imports 29 3 1 33

Food aid needs 1 - - 1

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - - -

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 8 4 29 41

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal: 127

1999 import requirement as % of normal: 97

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: 100

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	623 000 sq.km
Climate:	North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November
Population:	3.57 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 320 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: May-July
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	21 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	12	103	115
Normal Imports	30	3	2	35
of which: Structural food aid	-	-	1	1
1999 Domestic Availability	-	12	128	140
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	19	128	147
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	12	128	140
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999 Utilization	30	15	129	174
Food Use	29	13	104	146
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	2	19	22
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	6	6
1999 Import Requirement	30	3	1	34
Anticipated commercial imports	29	3	1	33
Food aid needs	1	-	-	1
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	8	4	29	41
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				127
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				97
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				100