| Area: | 1 247 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Coastal desert, south-west semi-arid, rest tropical wet-dry, with rains in Sept.-April |
| Population: | 12.8 million (1997 estimate), G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 410 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; infrastructure devastated by prolonged civil strife |
| Logistics: | Inadequate port, rail and road facilities |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, maize, plantains |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: January-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 35 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Conditions have so far been generally favourable for crops in most parts of the country. Despite a slow start of the season with below normal rains in the southern areas until December, widespread rains in January have significantly improved conditions for crops, particularly in cereal growing areas of the centre and the south. Plantings are estimated to have slightly increased from the 1996/97 levels. However, agricultural activities and the food supply situation continue to be hampered by security constraints in several parts of the country. Early planted crops have reached maturity and prospects are generally good for the main harvest, which should start in the next few weeks. A near normal harvest is expected.
However, domestic production remains well below consumption requirements and the country continues to rely heavily on international assistance to meet its food needs. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is scheduled to visit the country in April/May.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
3 |
3 |
330 |
336 |
|
Normal Imports |
110 |
100 |
90 |
300 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
20 |
15 |
60 |
95 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
- |
- |
441 |
441 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
- |
431 |
431 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
- |
431 |
431 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
200 |
71 |
701 |
972 |
|
Food Use |
199 |
71 |
614 |
884 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
- |
87 |
88 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
200 |
71 |
260 |
531 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
170 |
39 |
120 |
329 |
|
Food aid needs |
30 |
32 |
140 |
202 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
107 |
31 |
139 |
277 |
|
of which: Delivered |
15 |
26 |
126 |
167 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
16 |
6 |
48 |
69 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
128 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
177 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
213 |
