Africa report 05/96 af605p.htm

BURUNDI

Area:	26 000 sq.km
Climate:	Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons (Feb.-May and Sept.-Nov.)
Population:	6.39 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

Rainfall in March improved growing conditions for recently planted 1996 second season foodcrops. However, overall crop prospects deteriorated as a result of insecurity since early March which has led to renewed population displacement, negatively affecting agriculture. The security situation is particularly bad in previously calm southern provinces and in Bujumbura Rural province. Roads into the interior remain under threat of frequent violent attacks. Attacks on international agencies have also hampered distribution of relief assistance.Production of the 1996 first season crops was also affected by insecurity in northern provinces, which caused a substantial reduction in planting and yield of bean and cereal crops. In addition, unfavourable weather conditions in localized areas negatively affected crops. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in early February estimated food output at 1.26 million tons, 4 percent lower than the 1995 first season and 15 percent below pre-crisis levels. Compared to normal levels the most notable decline occured in beans, maize and potatoes which fell by 27 percent, 23 percent and 14 percent to 113 000 tons, 104 000 tons and 17 000 tons respectively. The mission had forecast 1996 aggregate food production at 3.5 million tons, 4 percent below average, provided there was a sustained improvement in security, farmers were provided with seeds and farm tools and favourable weather prevailed. However, recent deterioration in the political and security situation, means the forecast is unlikely to materialize. At the forecast level, food import requirement in 1996 was estimated at 54 000 tons of cereals and 59 000 tons of pulses. With commercial food imports expected to reach 31 000 tons of cereals and 5 000 tons of pulses, food aid requirements were estimated at 23 000 tons of cereals and 54 000 tons of pulses. There is also a shortfall of 161 000 tons of roots and tubers and 125 000 of bananas which would need to be partly covered by additional supplies of cereals and pulses. Against the food aid requirement, pledges amounted to 8 500 tons by mid-March.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1996 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	26	237	272
1996 Utilization	29	28	269	326
Food use	28	27	242	297
Non-food use	1	1	27	29
1996 Import Requirement	20	2	32	54
Anticipated commercial imports	16	-	15	31
Food aid needs	4	2	17	23
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	2	7	9
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year)	4	4	38	46
Indexes
1995 production as % of normal:				95
1996 import requirement as % of normal:				186
1996 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs):				-

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996