| Area: | 976 680 sq.km |
| Climate: | Northern coastal area and lowlands in the south and the east are semi-arid to arid; the rest of the country has a highland rainy climate with mild winter. |
| Population: | 58.652 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 110 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Land-locked country, roads inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, teff, barley, sorghum, wheat, pulses, enset (false banana) |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: August-November |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 69 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Harvesting of the 1998 main "Meher" cereal crop is underway. Overall, prospects are favourable reflecting abundant rains during the growing season, particularly in northern parts. Production is anticipated to recover from last year's level which was affected by excessive rains at harvest. However, erratic precipitation in the south-western parts may result in localized reduced harvest.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission which visited the country recently to appraise the 1998 Meher production and estimate food aid requirements in 1999 is finalizing its report. Food aid pledges in 1998 amounted to 719 000 tonnes of cereals, of which 567 000 tonnes have been distributed up to the end of November.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 950 | - | 5 600 | 6 550 |
| Normal Imports | 700 | 5 | 75 | 780 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 380 | 5 | 65 | 450 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | 1714 | 3 | 6 797 | 8 514 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 1714 | 4 | 6 667 | 8 385 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | 1714 | 3 | 6 667 | 8 384 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 130 | 130 |
| 1998 Utilization | 2275 | 18 | 6 972 | 9 265 |
| Food Use | 1989 | 18 | 5 456 | 7 463 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | 24 | - | 88 | 112 |
| Non-food use | 286 | - | 1 381 | 1 667 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 135 | 135 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 561 | 15 | 175 | 751 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 46 | 15 | 125 | 186 |
| Food aid needs | 515 | - | 50 | 565 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 649 | 2 | 68 | 719 |
| of which: Delivered | 515 | 2 | 50 | 567 |
| Donor-financed purchases | 24 | - | 88 | 112 |
| of which: for local use | 24 | - | 88 | 112 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 34 | 0 | 93 | 127 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 128 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 96 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 126 |
