BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Area: 28 000 sq.km
Climate: Tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: May-October
Population: 1.08 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 240 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics: Port capacity being improved; roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops: Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers
Marketing year: January/December; Lean season: May-August
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 64 percent
CURRENT SITUATION
Following somewhat reduced rains in mid/late June, precipitation improved significantly in early July and remained widespread and abundant over the entire country in mid/late July. Rainfall generally exceeded 100 mm during the second and third dekads except in the centre where it decreased in mid July but became abundant in late July (34.4 mm during the second dekad and 190.4 mm during the third in Fulacunda meteorological station). In contrast, rainfall decreased significantly in the first dekad of August over the entire country but resumed in the second. In the east, maize is elongating/maturing. Insect attacks are reported in most regions and free pesticide distributions have been organized. Coarse grains are developing satisfactorily in the east and the north. Preparation of upland and swamp rice fields is well underway and transplanting has begun.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are well supplied and prices remain mostly stable. Cereal imports for domestic use and re-exports in 1996 are estimated at 70 000 tons, mostly rice. Structural food aid requirement is estimated at 6 000 tons.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 84 | 52 | 136 |
| Normal imports | 10 | 60 | - | 70 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 5 | - | 6 |
| 1995 Production | - | 89 | 68 | 157 |
| 1996 Utilization | 10 | 149 | 68 | 227 |
| Food use | 10 | 119 | 51 | 180 |
| Non-food use | - | 20 | 11 | 31 |
| (Re)exports | - | 10 1/ | - | 10 |
| Possible stock build-up | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| 1996 Import Requirement | 10 | 60 2/ | - | 70 2/ |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 9 | 55 | - | 64 |
| Food aid needs | 1 | 5 | - | 6 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 1 | 5 | - | 6 |
| of which: Delivered | - | 2 | - | 2 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 9 | 110 | 47 | 166 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 115 | |||
| 1996 import requirement as % of normal: | 100 | |||
| 1996 food aid requirement as % of normal | 100 | |||