FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 02/97

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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Area:

623 000 sq.km

Climate:

North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; one rainy season: March-November

Population:

3.31 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 390 (1993)

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:

January/December; Lean season: May-July

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

21 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevailed in December, rainfall started in late January in the south but remained limited, allowing the planting of yams.

For the 1997 marketing year the cereal import requirement is estimated at 39 000 tons, mainly wheat. There are 27 000 assisted Sudanese refugees in the country. Approximately 5 000 Chadians also receive food assistance. Their nutritional status is reported to be adequate.

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

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

5

89

94

Normal Imports

30

5

5

40

of which: Structural food aid

-

1

2

3

1996/97 Domestic Availability

-

6

99

105

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

9

99

108

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

6

99

105

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1996/97 Utilization

30

11

103

144

Food Use

29

10

89

127

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

1

1

Non-food use

1

1

14

16

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1996/97 Import Requirement

30

5

4

39

Anticipated commercial imports

30

5

3

38

Food aid needs

-

-

1

1

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

-

-

-

-

of which: Delivered

-

-

-

-

Donor-financed local purchases

-

-

1

1

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

9

3

26

38

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




115

1996/97 import requirement as % of normal:




98

1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal:




33


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