|
Area: |
111 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (Mar.-Jul. and Oct.) and one in north |
|
Population: |
5.57 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 420 (1993) |
|
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
|
Logistics: |
Ports, roads, rail adequate; gateway to Niger |
|
Major foodcrops: |
Roots and tubers, maize |
|
Marketing year: |
January/December; Lean season: April-June |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
37 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Seasonably dry condition prevail. Seasonal rainfall in 1996 has been sufficient, despite some dry spells in mid-May, early July and mid/ late September. Following favourable conditions, foodcrop production is expected to be good notably in Borgou and Atacora. FAO estimates of the aggregate 1996 cereal output indicate about 680 000 tons, which is higher than average.
The food supply situation is satisfactory following the harvesting and marketing of main foodcrops in late 1996 and maize imports from Nigeria. Gari is exported to Niger and yam to Burkina Faso. Niebe, groundnuts and maize are exported to Togo. There are about 11 000 Togolese refugees in Benin.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
7 |
600 |
607 |
|
Normal Imports |
50 |
150 |
8 |
208 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
4 |
4 |
8 |
16 |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
3 |
6 |
669 |
678 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
10 |
669 |
679 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
6 |
669 |
675 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
1997 Utilization |
48 |
146 |
679 |
873 |
|
Food Use |
48 |
68 |
511 |
627 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
- |
3 |
138 |
141 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
75 |
25 |
100 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
5 |
5 |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
45 |
140 |
10 |
195 1/ |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
40 |
135 |
- |
175 |
|
Food aid needs |
5 |
5 |
10 |
20 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
9 |
12 |
92 |
113 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
112 |
|||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
94 |
|||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
125 |