| Area: | 911 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Mostly tropical wet-dry, south-west tropical wet, extreme north semi-arid |
| Population: | 116 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 260 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports adequate, roads inadequate during rainy season |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, coarse grains, rice |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-May |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 43 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
First rains started over the south in mid-March, allowing the planting of the first maize crop in this area. Rains reached the north in mid and late April and remained abundant and widespread over the entire country in May and June. Following the onset of rains, the growing season started in May in the centre and the north, with the planting of maize, rainfed rice, and millet and sorghum crops. Despite a late start of the growing season, satellite images show above normal vegetation in the whole country, meaning that agro-meteorological condition allowed above normal crop development. Nevertheless, shortages of fertilisers, improved seeds and pesticides are reported and may hamper foodcrops production.
Food supply is still constrained by high levels of post-harvest losses and high distribution costs but is satisfactory following the marketing of the main crops. The cereal import requirement for 1998 is estimated at 1 300 000 tonnes, including 1 million tonnes of wheat and 200 000 tonnes of rice.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 45 | 2 800 | 16 970 | 19 815 |
| Normal Imports | 850 | 350 | 80 | 1 280 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | 66 | 1 967 | 18 489 | 20 522 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 66 | 3 278 | 18 489 | 21 833 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | 66 | 1 967 | 18 489 | 20 522 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Utilization | 1 066 | 2 167 | 18 589 | 21 822 |
| Food Use | 1 035 | 1 917 | 14 406 | 17 358 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 31 | 250 | 3 843 | 4 124 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 200 | 200 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 140 | 140 |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 1 000 | 200 | 100 | 1 300 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 1 000 | 200 | 100 | 1 300 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | - | - |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 9 | 17 | 124 | 149 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 110 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 102 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
