| Area: | 10 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry climate; one rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 941 000 (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 360 (1993) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal sahelian country |
| Logistics: | Port capacity and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, millet and sorghum |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: July-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 63 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The first rains were received in the second decade of May but only the Eastern and Middle Thirds registered significant quantities. The country was generally dry from the last decade of May to the first of June. It is only from the second decade of June that heavy, regular and well distributed rain began throughout the country. Between mid-June and mid-October, the 12 synoptic stations of the country, registered satisfactory rainfall except a few pockets of short dry spells reported in July and September in LRD, CRD South and URD.
As of 20 October, cumulative rainfall was below last year’s but the quantities recorded were above normal in all stations with the exception of Yundum in Western Division and Jenoi in LRD. Due to the good distribution of the rains, generally better than 1994, the soil moisture remained adequate and growing conditions were satisfactory for all the crops.
The pastures and water points situation is quite good countrywide. The pest situation was generally calm but localized damage by birds and grasshoppers has been reported.
An FAO Crop Assessment Mission in early November estimated total 1995 cereal production at 116 000 tons against 106 000 tons in 1994, an increase of 10 percent. Coarse grains recorded a significant increase of 19 percent with 91 000 tons against 75 000 tons in 1994. By contrast, paddy output decreased by 19 percent (25 000 tons against 30 500 tons) due to the failure by one half of irrigated rice production.
The food supply situation is satisfactory. The rice market is stable but prices are higher than last year, due mainly to the increase of the world market price. In Banjul, rice is sold around 195 Dalasis/Kg and in the rural areas from 190 Dalasis/Kg (local rice) to 220 Dalasis/Kg (imported rice). The cereal import requirement for 1995/96 marketing year (November/October) is estimated at 93 000 tons and the food aid requirement at 7 000 tons.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 14 | 79 | 93 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 30 | 70 | 3 | 103 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 1995/96 Domestic availability | - | 17 | 91 | 108 |
| 1995 Production | - | 17 | 91 | 108 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 30 | 77 | 94 | 201 |
| Food use | 24 | 68 | 75 | 167 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 4 | 17 | 22 |
| Exports | 5 | 5 | - | 10 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 30 | 60 | 3 | 93 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 30 | 56 | - | 86 |
| Food aid needs | - | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 22 | 61 | 67 | 150 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 116 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | 90 | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal | 100 | |||