BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Area: 342 000 sq.km
Climate: Tropical wet climate in north, tropical wet-dry in south with main rainy season in October-April
Population: 2.52 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 640 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; tropical coastal country
Logistics: Ports adequate; roads inadequate during rainy season
Major foodcrops: Roots and tubers, fruit
Marketing year: July/June; Lean season: September-November
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 19 percent
CURRENT SITUATION
Dry conditions prevailed in the south and the centre and rains were light in the north in June and July. Precipitation resumed during the first two dekads of August over the centre and the north. The first maize crop has been harvested. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains and markets are well supplied with these crops. Cereal production is estimated at some 27 000 tons, mainly maize. For the 1996/97 marketing year (July/June), the commercial cereal import requirement is estimated at 106 000 tons, mostly wheat, and structural food aid requirement at 2 000 tons.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 1 | 20 | 21 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 80 | 15 | 3 | 98 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 1996/97 Domestic availability | 5 | 1 | 26 | 32 |
| 1996 Production | - | 1 | 26 | 27 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1996/97 Utilization | 95 | 16 | 29 | 140 |
| Food use | 93 | 15 | 22 | 130 |
| Non-food use | 2 | 1 | 7 | 10 |
| 1996/97 Import Requirement | 90 | 15 | 3 | 108 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 90 | 13 | 3 | 106 |
| Food aid needs | - | 2 | - | 2 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 6 | - | 6 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 35 | 5 | 8 | 48 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1996 production as % of normal: | 129 | |||
| 1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: | 110 | |||
| 1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 50 | |||