| Area: | 200 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | North-east is semi-arid, rest of the country is tropical wet-dry; main rainy period is March-October |
| Population: | 21.0 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 320 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railways inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, plantains, pulses, maize, millet, sorghum |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-May |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 35 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Widespread abundant rains in the third dekad of October benefited developing foodcrops of the 1998 second season, particularly in the eastern districts where the main maize crop was stressed by dry weather earlier. Prospects for the harvest early next year are favourable.
The rains of the past months have also improved pasture conditions and water availability for the livestock in pastoral districts of Kotido and Moroto.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Prices of food staples, particularly maize, have declined over recent months. In the northern districts of Gulu and Kitgum, affected by civil strife, some improvement in security since July has resulted in a decrease in the number of displaced persons, now estimated at 474 000. However, the food situation remains difficult in these areas. Food assistance is being provided to 400 000 displaced persons, as well as to 126 000 persons in the north-eastern areas affected by a succession of poor harvests.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 9 | 78 | 1 810 | 1 897 |
| Normal Imports | 18 | 5 | 10 | 33 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 15 | - | 10 | 25 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | 9 | 51 | 1 680 | 1 740 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 9 | 77 | 1 680 | 1 766 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 9 | 51 | 1 680 | 1 740 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Utilization | 87 | 57 | 1 723 | 1 867 |
| Food Use | 81 | 57 | 1 238 | 1 376 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 23 | 23 |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 335 | 336 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 150 | 150 |
| Possible stock build up | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 78 | 6 | 43 | 127 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 69 | - | - | 69 |
| Food aid needs | 9 | 6 | 43 | 58 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 9 | 1 | 43 | 53 |
| of which: Delivered | 9 | - | 43 | 52 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 36 | 36 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 23 | 23 |
| for export | - | - | 13 | 13 |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 4 | 3 | 59 | 65 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 93 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 385 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 232 |
