| Area: | 582 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Eastern coast is tropical wet, the rest tropical wet-dry. Rains in October-March; tropical cyclones. |
| Population: | 14.3 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 240 (1993) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Dilapidated roads and lack of spare parts and tyres |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, roots, tubers, maize, fruit |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: February/March |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 60 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Scattered rains were received from mid-October to the first dekad of November in the central and plateau areas which benefited early transplanting of the paddy crop and increased soil water reserves. Satellite imagery from the first and second dekads of December showed light to medium rains across the country, revising the prospects for a favourable 1995/96 crop.
Following a good rice crop in 1994/95, commercial imports in 1995/96 are forecast to decline. The food aid requirement is estimated at 27 000 tons; of 24 000 tons pledged, some 13 000 tons have been delivered so far.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 7 | 1 651 | 152 | 1 810 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 48 | 53 | 10 | 111 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 13 | 11 | 10 | 34 |
| 1995/96 Production | 10 | 1 634 | 161 | 1 805 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 70 | 1 714 | 167 | 1 951 |
| Food use | 69 | 1 563 | 114 | 1 746 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 151 | 32 | 184 |
| Possible stock build-up | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Exports | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 60 | 80 | 6 | 146 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 45 | 74 | - | 119 |
| Food aid needs | 15 | 6 | 6 | 27 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 12 | 4 | 8 | 24 |
| of which: Delivered | 12 | 1 | - | 13 |
| Donor-financed local purchases | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 5 | 106 | 8 | 119 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 100 | |||
| 1996 import requirement as % of normal: | 132 | |||
| 1996 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 79 | |||