| Area: | 192 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Semi-arid in north, tropical wet-dry in south, with rains in June-October |
| Population: | 9.23 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 550 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal sahelian country |
| Logistics: | Port capacity adequate; gateway to Mali. |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet and sorghum, rice, maize, wheat |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: August-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 61 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
On the basis of the national production survey, a joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment in late October estimated the 1998 rainfed crop production at 976 400 tonnes, which is 24 percent above the 1997 reduced harvest but is still 3 percent below the average of the last five years. With recession and off-season crops whose prospects are better than last year, the total cereal production is slightly over 1 million tonnes.
Following the reduced 1997 cereal harvest, the Government distributed more than 40 000 tonnes of cereals in the affected areas. The overall food supply situation is expected to improve following this better harvest but vulnerable people, notably in the centre and the north, may require food assistance. Overall food supply is adequate and prices of rice are stable, while prices of coarse grains decreased significantly following the harvest.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 180 | 816 | 996 |
| Normal Imports | 190 | 425 | 70 | 685 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 3 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | - | 126 | 827 | 953 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 181 | 827 | 1008 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 126 | 827 | 953 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 235 | 631 | 892 | 1 758 |
| Food Use | 230 | 610 | 746 | 1 586 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| Non-food use | 5 | 22 | 131 | 157 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 235 | 505 | 65 | 805 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 230 | 500 | 60 | 790 |
| Food aid needs | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 6 | - | 6 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 25 | 66 | 81 | 172 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 101 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 118 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 125 |
