| Area: | 1 247 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Coastal desert, south-west semi-arid, rest tropical wet-dry, with rains in Sept.-April |
| Population: | 10.67 million (1995 estimate), G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 970 (1990) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; infrastructure devastated by prolonged civil strife |
| Logistics: | Inadequate port, rail and road facilities |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, maize, plantains |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: January-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 35 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Rains started during the second dekad of September covering all parts of the country in October and becoming heavy in early November with serious mud-slides reported in the central province of Kwanza-Sul. In general, rains have favoured plantings of the 1995/96 cereal crops, now at emerging or vegetative stages. Given the current relative peace across the country, it is anticipated that more area will come under cultivation this year compared to previous years.
Following a below average cereal output in 1994/95, the food security situation remains of serious concern, particularly in southern provinces. The cereal import requirement is estimated at 560 000 tons, including 200 000 tons of commercial imports. Of the 235 000 tons of food aid pledged by donors, 166 000 tons have been delivered so far. Prices of maize, at both wolesale and retail levels continue to increase.
In the UN-organized Round Table Conference in September 1995 on the reconstruction of Angola donors pledged a total of U.S.$ 993 million including U.S.$ 786 million for rehabilitation and development programmes in 1996-97 and U.S.$ 207 million for humanitarian aid. With three-fourths of the population dependent on farming, one of the first priorities is to restore production of foodcrops like millet, cassava, sorghum and beans. Another priority is the rehabilitation of infrastructure since it is estimated that up to 90 percent of the country's basic infrastructure was destroyed or seriously damaged during the 20-year civil war. As a result, distribution of fertilizers by roads continues to be nearly impossible while air transport of fertilizers is very costly.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 3 | 2 | 330 | 335 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 110 | 100 | 90 | 300 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 20 | 15 | 60 | 95 |
| 1995 Production | 3 | 5 | 265 | 273 |
| 1995 Utilization | 183 | 125 | 525 | 833 |
| Food use | 183 | 125 | 484 | 792 |
| of which: Local purchase requirements | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| Non-food use | - | - | 41 | 41 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 180 | 120 | 260 | 560 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 80 | 60 | 60 | 200 |
| Food aid needs | 100 | 60 | 200 | 360 |
| of which: Emergency | - | - | 130 | 130 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 34 | 7 | 194 | 235 |
| of which: Delivered | 1 | 3 | 162 | 166 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 17 | 12 | 45 | 74 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 81 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | 187 | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 379 | |||