| Area: | 2 267 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet climate in the central basin, tropical wet-dry in the extreme north and the south |
| Population: | 42.55 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: n.a. |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; tropical country with access to sea |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: October (north), November-December (south) |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 15 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Growing conditions are favourable in the main agricultural zones of the country. In the north and the centre, abundant and widespread rains from August to October allowed a good development of coarse grains which are about to be harvested. The second season rice crop is emerging/tillering. Rains moved southwards in September and October, allowing the planting of maize in the southern part of the country. In the extreme south, rains started only during the second dekad of October.
Food distributions are continuing in the Rwandan refugee camps in the north-east but the situation remains tense as the refugee fear the prospect of large scale repatriation. Supply of food to camps is satisfactory in Goma region and is easing in Bukavu region with an increase in transport capacity. A recent survey indicates that the nutritional status of refugees appears to be deteriorating in the camps around Uvira. According to UNHCR, about 1.14 million Rwandan and Burundese refugees are still in Zaire and are being slowly repatriated.
The food supply situation remains tight in the urban areas. Inflation, unemployment and economic difficulties are severely affecting the population. Inflation has decreased significantly, from 6 000 percent in 1994 to 300 percent in 1995, but prices are still very unstable. Despite a high production potential, an important part of the national food consumption is imported (15 percent) due to lack of transport and marketing infrastructures, between rural and urban areas.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 18 | 265 | 1 150 | 1 433 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 140 | 30 | 30 | 200 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | 2 | 25 | 27 |
| 1994 Production | 20 | 280 | 1 190 | 1 490 |
| 1995 Utilization | 160 | 320 | 1 250 | 1 730 |
| Food use | 153 | 301 | 942 | 1 396 |
| of which: local purchase requirements | (-) | (-) | (7) | (7) |
| Non-food use | 7 | 17 | 308 | 332 |
| Exports | - | 2 | - | 2 |
| 1995 Import Requirement | 140 | 40 | 60 | 240 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 140 | 39 | 10 | 189 |
| Food aid needs (excluding Rwanda refugee needs) | - | 1 | 50 | 51 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 3 | 56 | 59 |
| of which: Delivered | - | 3 | 53 | 56 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| of which: for export | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| for local purchases | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 4 | 7 | 22 | 33 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1994 production as % of normal: | 104 | |||
| 1995 import requirement as % of normal: | 120 | |||
| 1995 food aid requirement as % of normal (excluding Rwandan refugee needs): | 189 | |||