| Area: | 96 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet; rainfall increases with altitude and towards southern parts of the islands |
| Population: | 130 000 (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 330 (1993) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Bananas, breadfruit, cocoyam |
| Marketing year: | January/December |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 36 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains.
The country imports annually around 10 000 tons of wheat and rice. The cereal import requirement in 1995 was estimated at 12 000 tons, including some 8 000 tons as food aid.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | - | - | - |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 4 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 1995 Domestic availability | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 1994 Production | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 4 | 6 | 3 | 13 |
| Food use | 4 | 6 | 3 | 13 |
| 1995 Import Requirement | 4 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 2 | 2 | - | 4 |
| Food aid needs | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| of which: Delivered | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 31 | 31 | 23 | 85 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1994 production as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1995 import requirement as % of normal: | 100 | |||
| 1995 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 160 | |||