BACKGROUND INFORMATION
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 (1994)
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
Widespread and abundant rainfall in June and July allowed the planting of millet in the north and rice in the south-east. The harvest of the first maize crop is drawing to an end while the second maize crop is being planted.
In mid-April trade activities were disrupted in the capital, reflecting civil disturbances. After a peace agreement in early June, the situation has now returned to normal. Following a good harvest in 1995, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory.
For the 1996/97 marketing year (September/August), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 34 000 tons, mainly wheat and rice. There are 27 000 assisted Sudanese refugees in the country, and more are still arriving. Approximately 5 000 Chadians also receive a food assistance.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 6 | 90 | 96 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 30 | 5 | 4 | 39 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 1996 Production | - | 6 | 99 | 105 |
| 1996/97 Utilization | 25 | 11 | 103 | 139 |
| Food use | 24 | 11 | 89 | 124 |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 14 | 15 |
| 1996/97 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 | ||||
| 1996 production as % of normal: | 109 | |||
| 1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: | 87 | |||
| 1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 50 | |||