| Area: | 582 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Eastern coast is tropical wet, the rest tropical wet-dry. Rains in October-March; tropical cyclones |
| Population: | 15.72 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 230 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Dilapidated roads and lack of spare parts and tyres |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, roots, tubers, maize, fruit |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: February/March |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 60 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Following generally favourable weather conditions, production prospects are relatively favourable for rice and other crops currently being harvested. Output may be somewhat lower than last year’s relatively good crop of 2.5 million tonnes. Initial indications are that locusts had no significant impact on cereals. If cassava is ready for harvest (mature), the effect of locusts would be nil. However, as the infestation has now spread from the southern dry zones to the midwest and northern more fertile regions, the threat to staple crops and cattle pastures remains serious. The overall food supply situation in the country is expected to remain relatively stable during the current marketing year, including in the drought-prone south, where locust damage to crops and pastures is reported to be variable.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 7 | 2 476 | 152 | 2 635 |
| Normal Imports | 48 | 53 | 10 | 111 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 13 | 11 | 10 | 34 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 10 | 1 740 | 156 | 1 906 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 10 | 2 500 | 150 | 2 660 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 10 | 1 700 | 150 | 1 860 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 40 | 6 | 46 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 80 | 1 790 | 161 | 2 031 |
| Food Use | 79 | 1 780 | 138 | 1 997 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | 10 | 23 | 34 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 70 | 70 | 5 | 145 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 60 | 50 | 5 | 115 |
| Food aid needs | 10 | 20 | - | 30 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 4 | 1 | 6 | 11 |
| of which: Delivered | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 6 | 124 | 10 | 139 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 101 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 113 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 59 |
