Africa report 05/96 af605p.htm

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Area:	623 000 sq.km
Climate:	North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; one rainy season: March-November
Population:	3.06 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 370 (1993)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits
Marketing year:	September/August; Lean season: May-July
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	21 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Light and widespread rainfall was received in January and February, increasing by mid-March over the entire country, allowing land preparation and planting of the first maize crop. The harvest of the second maize crop is complete and output is expected to be satisfactory following favourable weather conditions during the season.Following a good harvest, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. For the 1995/96 marketing year (September/August), cereal import requirement is estimated at 34 000 tons, mainly wheat and rice. Recent estimates indicate that 13 000 Chadian and 25 000 Sudanese refugees are still in the country and continue to receive food assistance. Following an agreement between the governments of Central African Republic, Sudan and UNHCR, repatriation of Sudanese refugees is underway.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal production	-	6	80	86
Normal imports (incl. re-exports)	30	5	4	39
of which: Structural food aid	-	1	3	4
1995 Production	-	5	95	100
1995/96 Utilization	25	10	99	134
Food use	24	10	77	111
Non-food use	1	-	17	18
Possible stock build-up	-	-	5	5
1995/96 Import Requirement	25	5	4	34
Anticipated commercial imports	25	4	3	32
Food aid needs	-	1	1	2
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year)	7	3	24	34
Indexes
1995 production as % of normal:				116
1995/96 import requirement as % of normal:				87
1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs):				50

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996