FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 02/97

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CAMEROON

Area:

465 000 sq.km

Climate:

North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; length of rainy season declines from 11

months in south to 4 months in extreme north


Population:

13.58 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 770 (1993)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country

Logistics:

Ports and roads adequate; gateway to Chad

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit

Marketing year:

July/June; Lean season: June-August

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

39 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevailed in December and January. The harvest of the second maize crop is drawing to an end.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Cereal prices are stable and similar to last year's level. The cereal import requirement for 1996/97 (July/June) is estimated at 250 000 tons of wheat and rice. Despite reduced cumulative rainfall compared to last year, favourable growing conditions prevailed and the 1996 aggregate cereal output is estimated at about 1 300 000 tons which is well above average.

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

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

84

989

1 073

Normal Imports

220

45

15

280

of which: Structural food aid

-

1

2

3

1996/97 Domestic Availability

1

54

1 223

1 278

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

1

80

1 223

1 304

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

1

54

1 223

1 278

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1996/97 Utilization

201

104

1 223

1 528

Food Use

187

94

879

1 160

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

4

5

339

348

Exports or Re-exports

10

-

-

10

Possible stock build up

-

5

5

10

1996/97 Import Requirement

200

50

-

250

Anticipated commercial imports

200

50

-

250

Food aid needs

-

-

-

-

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

-

-

-

-

of which: Delivered

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

14

7

64

85

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




122

1996/97 import requirement as % of normal:




89

1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal:




-


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