| Area: | 342 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet climate in north, tropical wet-dry in south with main rainy season in October-April |
| Population: | 2.52 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 920 (1993) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; tropical coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports adequate; roads inadequate during rainy season |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, fruit |
| Marketing year: | July/June; Lean season: September-November |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 19 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The staple foodcrops are cassava and plantains. Rains moved towards the south in September, decreased in early October over the southern areas and were again abundant from the second dekad to early November. The maize crop is reaching maturity.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Cereal production is limited to about 21 000 tons (mainly maize). In the 1995/96 marketing year (July/June), cereal import requirement is estimated at 108 000 tons, mostly wheat, and the food aid requirement at 3 000 tons.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 1 | 20 | 21 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 78 | 15 | 3 | 96 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 1995 Production | - | 1 | 20 | 21 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 90 | 16 | 23 | 129 |
| Food use | 86 | 12 | 17 | 115 |
| Non-food use | 2 | 1 | 6 | 9 |
| Possible stock build-up | 2 | 3 | - | 5 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 90 | 15 | 3 | 108 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 89 | 13 | 3 | 105 |
| Food aid needs | 1 | 2 | - | 3 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 22 | - | 22 |
| of which: Delivered | - | 9 | - | 9 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 33 | 5 | 7 | 45 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 100 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | 113 | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 75 | |||