| Area: | 111 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (Mar.-Jul. and Oct.) and one in north |
| Population: | 5.63 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 370 (1995) |
| 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 conditions prevail. Following favourable growing conditions, the 1997 cereal production is estimated at a well above average 916 000 tonnes, composed of 728 000 tonnes of maize, 158 000 tonnes of millet and sorghum, and 29 000 tonnes of rice. Aggregate root and tuber production is about 20 percent higher than last year at about 3.44 million tonnes, and pulse production is estimated at 100 000 tonnes, 35 percent above last year's level. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory following the harvest of the main crops. The Government is setting up a security stock of about 1 000 tonnes of maize and assisting the creation of on-farm stocks. Maize, yams, gari (processed yams) are sold to Niger and Nigeria. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December) is estimated at 205 000 tonnes (including re-exports), mostly wheat and rice.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
12 |
605 |
617 |
|
Normal Imports |
50 |
150 |
8 |
208 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
4 |
4 |
8 |
16 |
|
1998 Domestic Availability |
- |
17 |
887 |
904 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
29 |
887 |
916 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
17 |
887 |
904 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1998 Utilization |
55 |
167 |
887 |
1 109 |
|
Food Use |
49 |
76 |
553 |
678 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
6 |
219 |
226 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
5 |
85 |
75 |
165 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
40 |
40 |
|
1998 Import Requirement |
55 |
1501/ |
- |
2051/ |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
50 |
146 |
- |
196 |
|
Food aid needs |
5 |
4 |
- |
9 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
2 |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
9 |
14 |
98 |
121 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
148 |
|||
|
1998 import requirement as % of normal: |
99 |
|||
|
1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
56 |
