| Area: | 230 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south and one in north |
| Population: | 18.166 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 390 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, coarse grain, rice |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-June |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 27 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Aggregate 1997 cereal production is estimated at 1.72 million tonnes, which is close to normal but 2.5 percent lower than last year. Nevertheless, millet and maize production in the extreme north has been substantially lower than usual and some assistance is required to provide seeds and food supplies in these affected areas. The net cereal deficit in the Upper East Region, which was the most affected, is estimated at 14 000 tonnes of millet and maize. The roots and tubers production was slightly higher than average, close to 13 million tonnes. As a result of low water reserves in the north, dry season gardening, a source of pulses and vegetables, may be affected. An FAO/WFP Mission is underway in this region to assess the needs.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory following the harvest of the main crops, although it could deteriorate in the coming months due to reduced output in the north. Some Togolese refugees still remain in Ghana after large repatriations in 1996. About 30 000 Liberian refugees are also receiving food assistance. The 1998 cereal import requirement is estimated at 410 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
165 |
1 410 |
1 575 |
|
Normal Imports |
175 |
200 |
15 |
390 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
60 |
40 |
12 |
112 |
|
1998 Domestic Availability |
10 |
151 |
1 517 |
1 678 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
227 |
1 497 |
1 724 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
151 |
1 497 |
1 648 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
10 |
- |
20 |
30 |
|
1998 Utilization |
190 |
351 |
1 547 |
2 088 |
|
Food Use |
187 |
296 |
1 234 |
1 717 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
3 |
45 |
308 |
356 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
10 |
5 |
15 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1998 Import Requirement |
180 |
200 |
30 |
410 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
180 |
180 |
20 |
380 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
20 |
10 |
30 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
44 |
1 |
10 |
55 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
10 |
16 |
68 |
95 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
109 |
|||
|
1998 import requirement as % of normal: |
105 |
|||
|
1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
27 |
