| Area: | 26 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons (Feb.-May and Sept.-Nov.) |
| Population: | 6 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 180 (1993) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); rail and road connections inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Pulses, plantains, roots, tubers, maize and sorghum |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: November-December |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 34 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Harvesting of the 1996 first season food crops is about to start. Despite mostly favourable weather conditions during the season, prospects remains unfavourable reflecting renewed political violence. Fresh waves of population displacement have resulted in large agricultural areas in the North-west provinces left uncultivated, while insecurity also prevented appropriate crop husbandry negatively affecting yield potential. An FAO/WFP Mission earlier in the year estimated the 1995 aggregate food production at 3.6 million tons, higher than in the previous year mainly reflecting good weather. However, there is still a substantial deficit to be covered by food aid.
The food situation continues to be tight for large number of displaced people living in camps, and dispersed people in villages and the country side with limited or no access to their fields, mostly in the northern provinces and around the capital city Bujumbura. Substantial food assistance will continue to be required for these population during 1996.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 7 | 27 | 253 | 287 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 20 | 2 | 7 | 29 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | - | - |
| 1995 Production | 9 | 23 | 247 | 279 |
| 1995 Utilization | 29 | 25 | 278 | 332 |
| Food use | 28 | 23 | 250 | 301 |
| of which: local purchase requirements | - | (3) | - | (3) |
| Non-food use | 1 | 2 | 28 | 31 |
| 1995 Import Requirement | 20 | 2 | 31 | 53 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 20 | 2 | 9 | 31 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 22 | 22 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 4 | 2 | 19 | 25 |
| of which: Delivered | - | 2 | 10 | 12 |
| Donor-financed local purchases | - | 3 | - | 3 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 4 | 5 | 37 | 46 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 97 | |||
| 1996 import requirement as % of normal: | 183 | |||
| 1996 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | - | |||