Area:
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1 247 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Coastal desert, south-west semi-arid, rest tropical wet-dry. Rainy season: Sept.-May
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Population:
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13.42 million (1999 estimate), G.N.P. per caput US$ 340 (1997)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; infrastructure devastated by prolonged civil strife
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Logistics:
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Inadequate port, rail and road facilities
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Major foodcrops:
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Roots, tubers, maize, plantains
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Marketing year:
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April/March; Lean season: January-April
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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35 percent
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An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in May forecast the 1999 cereal production at 533 000 tonnes, which is 11 percent below last year's, mainly reflecting the impact of renewed displacement of rural people. Production of cassava, an important staple, is estimated to have declined slightly from last year, while bean production declined by an estimated 21 percent.
For the 1999/2000 marketing year, domestic cereal supply, estimated at 533 000 tonnes, falls seriously short of national consumption requirements. Cereal import requirement for 1999/2000 marketing year is estimated at 505 000 tonnes, which compares with actual cereal imports of 420 000 tonnes during the previous marketing year. Of the estimated cereal import requirement, the Mission estimated that 325 000 tonnes would be imported commercially, leaving 180 000 tonnes to be covered by food aid.
In addition, the Mission highlighted the need to allocate land for cultivation by IDPs and the provision of the necessary agricultural inputs for the next season starting in October.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 3 | 3 | 330 | 336 |
| Normal Imports | 110 | 100 | 90 | 300 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 20 | 15 | 60 | 95 |
| 1999/2000 Domestic Availability | - | 3 | 530 | 533 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 5 | 530 | 535 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 3 | 530 | 533 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1999/2000 Utilization | 220 | 73 | 745 | 1 038 |
| Food Use | 220 | 73 | 645 | 938 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 100 | 100 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1999/2000 Import Requirement | 220 | 70 | 215 | 505 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 220 | 70 | 35 | 325 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 180 | 180 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| of which: Delivered | - | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 16 | 6 | 48 | 70 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of normal: | 159 | |||
| 1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: | 168 | |||
| 1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 189 |
