| Area: | 96 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Southern half tropical wet, northern half tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: March-November |
| Population: | 2.85 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: n.a. |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, roots and tubers, oils |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: July-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 48 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Rainfall was below normal in September and October but remained widespread. Improved security conditions prevailed in the rural areas during the growing season. Severe seed shortages were reported and may limit the 1998 cereal output.
Food supply on the urban market is stable but prices remain very high. Sporadic fighting is still occurring, and water and electricity supply has not been restored in most areas of Monrovia. Food assistance is being delivered almost throughout the country and an improvement in the nutritional status of the population is reported. Organised repatriation is underway for about 480 000 Liberian refugees in neighbouring countries and 80 000 have been repatriated. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December) is estimated at 240 000 tonnes, including 130 000 tonnes of food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 76 | 1 | 77 |
| Normal Imports | 40 | 70 | 35 | 145 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 35 | 20 | 35 | 90 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | - | 112 | 2 | 114 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 168 | - | 168 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 112 | - | 112 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| 1998 Utilization | 90 | 212 | 52 | 354 |
| Food Use | 88 | 202 | 52 | 342 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 2 | 10 | - | 12 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 90 | 100 | 50 | 240 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 10 | 50 | 50 | 110 |
| Food aid needs | 80 | 50 | - | 130 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 57 | - | 28 | 85 |
| of which: Delivered | 57 | - | 28 | 85 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 31 | 71 | 18 | 120 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 218 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 166 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 144 |
