| Area: | 1 030 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Mostly a Saharian country; semi-arid fringe in extreme south with rains in June-September |
| Population: | 2.57 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 450 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Port capacity adequate, though storms during January-March sometimes cause difficulties |
| Major foodcrops: | Wheat, rice, millet and sorghum |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: July-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 54 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Cumulative rainfall for 1998 is generally higher than in 1997. As a result, a good output of recession crops is expected and growing conditions are favourable for fields in low-lying areas and for irrigated crops. Migratory locusts, grasshoppers, grain eating birds and Desert Locusts were reported in several areas (Gorgol, Guidimaka, and Assaba). Treatments have been undertaken since July.
In all the pastoral zones, abundant fodder production is expected this year. This should cover livestock needs until about mid-1999 when herds will have to migrate to other zones to find sufficient feed. The aggregate 1998 cereal production is estimated at 163 500 tonnes, which is above the previous year’s output but below average.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 64 | 107 | 171 |
| Normal Imports | 180 | 80 | 15 | 275 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 20 | 5 | 5 | 30 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 40 | 54 | 83 | 177 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 81 | 83 | 164 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 54 | 83 | 137 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 40 | - | - | 40 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 215 | 154 | 113 | 482 |
| Food Use | 175 | 139 | 99 | 413 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 25 | 10 | 13 | 48 |
| Exports or Re-exports | 15 | 5 | - | 20 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 1751/ | 100 | 30 | 305 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 160 | 90 | 20 | 270 |
| Food aid needs | 15 | 10 | 10 | 35 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 15 | 8 | 2 | 25 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 68 | 54 | 39 | 161 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 96 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 111 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 117 |
