| Area: | 4 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Semi-arid; rainfall increases with altitude; rainy season: July-December |
| Population: | 417 000 (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 960 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago |
| Logistics: | Port capacity and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, rice, pulses |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: n.a. since 90 percent of requirements covered by imports |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 57 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
First limited rains were received on the southern islands, where they permitted wet planting of maize. Elsewhere, mostly seasonably dry conditions persist. Land preparation and dry plantings are underway. Maize production was particularly poor both in 1996 and 1997, which may cause problems of seed availability in some areas. Insect attacks and phytosanitary problems are also reported from several islands.
Despite two successive poor harvests, the overall food supply situation remains satisfactory as the country imports the bulk of its consumption requirement. However, at-risk rural populations, notably in the semi-arid or arid zones, may need assistance. For the 1997/98 marketing year, the cereal import requirement is estimated at 95 000 tonnes. Pledges reported so far amount to 46 000 tonnes.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| Normal Imports | 20 | 20 | 45 | 85 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 16 | 18 | 30 | 64 |
| 1997/98 Domestic Availability | - | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| 1997/98 Utilization | 20 | 25 | 60 | 105 |
| Food Use | 19 | 24 | 59 | 102 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1997/98 Import Requirement | 20 | 20 | 55 | 95 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 5 | 5 | 20 | 30 |
| Food aid needs | 15 | 15 | 35 | 65 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 17 | 9 | 20 | 46 |
| of which: Delivered | 11 | 5 | 14 | 30 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 46 | 58 | 141 | 244 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 70 | |||
| 1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: | 112 | |||
| 1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 102 |
