Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission which visited Burkina Faso in late October estimated 1996 aggregate cereal production at 2.46 million tons. This is 7 percent above 1995 and slightly above average for the last five years. This increase in aggregate production is due to an increase in all crops, especially rice, which is expected to increase 48 percent compared to 1995/96. The forecast production of millet is up by 7 percent, sorghum by 4 percent and maize by 5 percent.
The food supply situation which had tightened during the lean season in some traditionally deficit areas affected by a reduced crop in 1995 has eased following the harvest. Cereal prices declined in November/December following the arrival of recently harvested crops or imported cereals from Mali in the north. Deficits in northern provinces can be covered by transfer of cereals from the south, for which external assistance may be required. Cereal needs for ongoing food aid programmes can also be covered by local purchases. Tuareg refugees from Mali are currently receiving food assistance. Their total number has decreased to 25 000 following repatriation.