| Area: | 1 259 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | From north to south: arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: May-Oct. |
| Population: | 7.23 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 240 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked sahelian country. |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet and sorghum, roots and tubers, tree nuts |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: August-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 52 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Cumulative rainfall is above average and above last year's level in many areas. In the Sudano-Sahelian zone, heavy rains flooded rice crops but provided abundant ground water supplies in low-lying areas, which is favourable for recession sorghum crops. The pest situation remained relatively calm during the season. Pasture is abundant and no major livestock disease has been reported so far. A joint CILSS/FAO Crop Assessment Mission which visited the country in mid-October estimated the total cereal production at 1 277 000 tonnes, which is 30 percent above the 1997/98 output. It is also 9 percent above the last record crop in 1994/95. Output of cereals has increased compared to last year, with the exception of rice which is lower this year (-11 percent) as a result of adverse weather conditions and shortage of inputs. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 3 | 83 | 828 | 914 |
| Normal Imports | 50 | 10 | 10 | 70 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 4 | 1 | 10 | 15 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 1 | 74 | 1 176 | 1 251 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 1 | 100 | 1 176 | 1 277 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 1 | 69 | 1 176 | 1 246 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 61 | 86 | 1 176 | 1 323 |
| Food Use | 60 | 74 | 840 | 973 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 12 | 186 | 199 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 30 | 30 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 120 | 120 |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 60 | 12 | - | 72 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 50 | 10 | - | 60 |
| Food aid needs | 10 | 2 | - | 12 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 13 | - | - | 13 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 8 | 10 | 116 | 135 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 140 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 103 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 80 |
