| Area: | 623 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; one rainy season: March-November |
| Population: | 3.06 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 390 (1993) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits |
| Marketing year: | September/August; Lean season: May-July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 21 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Following poor precipitation in early July, rains were abundant in August, September and the first two dekads of October, replenishing soil moisture reserves. The second season coarse grain crops are developing under favourable conditions. Rice is being harvested.
Following a good harvest of first season crops, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. About 13 000 Chadian and 26 000 Sudanese refugees are reported in Central African Republic. For the 1995/96 marketing year (September/August), the cereal import requirement, mainly wheat and rice, is estimated at 34 000 tons. Food aid is being distributed to Sudanese refugees in the north and to about 7 000 Chadian refugees.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 6 | 80 | 86 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 30 | 5 | 4 | 39 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 1995 Production | - | 5 | 95 | 100 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 25 | 10 | 99 | 134 |
| Food use | 24 | 10 | 77 | 111 |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 17 | 18 |
| Possible stock build-up | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 25 | 5 | 4 | 34 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 25 | 4 | 3 | 32 |
| Food aid needs | - | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | - | - |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 7 | 3 | 24 | 34 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 116 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | 87 | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 50 | |||