| Area: | 1 247 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Coastal desert, south-west semi-arid, rest tropical wet-dry, with rains in Sept.-April |
| Population: | 13.2 million (1998 estimate), G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 340 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; infrastructure devastated by prolonged civil strife |
| Logistics: | Inadequate port, rail and road facilities |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, maize, plantains |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: January-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 35 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Recent widespread rainfall in the main grain producing areas of the Central Plateau benefited the maize and millet crops due for harvest from April 1999. However, agricultural activities continue to be hindered by shortage of seeds and fertilizers and the displacement of rural people from their farms as a result of continued insecurity in several parts of the country.
Aggregate cereal production in 1998 rose by 37 percent to 594 000 tonnes due to an increase in the area sown and favourable weather. However, the country's food supply situation is expected to tighten in the coming months with large areas in need of food aid. The unstable security situation in several parts of the country has resulted in an ever-increasing need for emergency food aid.
The total cereal import requirement for 1998/99 (April/March) is estimated at 471 000 tonnes, including 121 000 tonnes of food aid. Pledges as of late November amounted to 121 000 tonnes, of which 68 000 tonnes have been delivered.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 3 | 3 | 330 | 336 |
| Normal Imports | 110 | 100 | 90 | 300 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 20 | 15 | 60 | 95 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 7 | 1 | 594 | 602 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 594 | 594 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | 594 | 594 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 7 | 1 | - | 8 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 207 | 72 | 794 | 1 073 |
| Food Use | 207 | 72 | 632 | 911 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 158 | 158 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 200 | 71 | 200 | 471 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 185 | 55 | 110 | 350 |
| Food aid needs | 15 | 16 | 90 | 121 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 56 | 17 | 48 | 121 |
| of which: Delivered | 35 | 12 | 21 | 68 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 16 | 6 | 48 | 69 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 177 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 157 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 127 |
