FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 02/97

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BURKINA FASO

Area:

274 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry in south, semi-arid in north; one rainy season: May-October

Population:

10.56 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 300 (1993)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; sahelian land-locked country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate during rainy season; adequate rail link to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Major foodcrops:

Millet, sorghum, pulses, maize

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: July-September

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

73 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

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 level and close to the 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. Production of millet increased by 7 percent, sorghum by 4 percent and maize by 5 percent.

Following this above average harvest, the food supply situation is satisfactory. No food aid distributions are recommanded for the moment. Cereal prices declined in October/November following the arrival of recently harvested crops or imported cereals from Mali in the north. They continued to decline in December/early January but remained higher than average in several provinces due to substantial exports to the capital or to neighbouring countries. 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.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1996/97 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

60

2 400

2 460

Normal Imports

40

75

35

150

of which: Structural food aid

5

3

25

33

1996/97 Domestic Availability

-

82

2 467

2 549

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

124

2 337

2 461

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

82

2 337

2 419

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

130

130

1996/97 Utilization

40

145

2 502

2 687

Food Use

37

125

2 122

2 284

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

20

20

Non-food use

1

5

360

366

Exports

-

5

20

25

Possible stock build up

2

10

-

12

1996/97 Import Requirement

40

63

35

138

Anticipated commercial imports

35

60

10

105

Food aid needs

5

3

25

33

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

-

-

8

8

of which: Delivered

-

-

4

4

Donor-financed local purchases

-

-

2

2

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

4

12

201

217

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




100

1996/97 import requirement as % of normal:




92

1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal:




100


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