Africa report 05/96 af605p.htm

CAPE VERDE

Area:	4 000 sq.km
Climate:	Semi-arid; rainfall increases with altitude; rainy season: July-December
Population:	0.38 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 910 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago
Logistics:	Port capacity and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:	Maize, rice, pulses
Marketing year:	Jan./Dec.; Lean season: n.a. since 90 percent of requirements covered by imports
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	57 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonal dry conditions prevail. Maize production in 1995 has been revised slightly downwards from 9 000 tons to 7 900 tons, which is below average though three times higher than the reduced crop in 1994.Despite a limited harvest, markets are well supplied and the overall food supply situation is satisfactory, as the country imports the bulk of its consumption requirement. In 1996, the cereal import requirement is estimated at 90 000 tons, most of which is in the form of food aid..

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1996 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal production	-	-	9	9
Normal imports (incl. re-exports)	20	20	45	85
of which: Structural food aid	15	10	38	63
1995 Production	-	-	8	8
1996 Utilization	20	20	58	98
Food use	19	20	57	96
Non-food use	1	-	1	2
1996 Import Requirement	20	20	50	90
Anticipated commercial imports	5	10	10	25
Food aid needs	15	10	40	65
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	19	14	20	53
of which: Delivered	4	-	-	4
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year)	50	52	149	251
Indexes
1995 production as % of normal:				88
1996 import requirement as % of normal:				106
1996 food aid requirement as % of normal				103

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996