| Area: | 72 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Mostly tropical wet-dry; extreme south tropical wet; one rainy season: March-October |
| Population: | 4.67 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 200 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: July-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 57 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The food supply situation is improving in Freetown and in the centre of the country, where relatively peaceful conditions now prevail. However, increased insecurity in the major part of the country has severely disrupted most agricultural activities and affected the population’s food security. Food prices are increasing and prospects for food production in 1998 are unfavourable. The planted area is estimated to be substantially lower than last year due to security problems. Flooding occurred in the Kambia and Mambolo areas and destroyed rice fields, following heavy rainfall in mid-August.
There are currently about 50 000 registered internally displaced persons (IDPs), plus an estimate of some 40 000 to 50 000 IDPs due to the continuing violence. The situation has deteriorated significantly especially in the rural areas that are not controlled by ECOWAS forces.
The overall food supply situation remains very precarious. The cereal import requirement for 1998 has been estimated at about 260 000 tonnes, including 80 000 tonnes of food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 390 | 57 | 447 |
| Normal Imports | 60 | 110 | 15 | 185 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 40 | 10 | 15 | 65 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | - | 257 | 52 | 309 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 428 | 52 | 480 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 257 | 52 | 309 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Utilization | 90 | 407 | 72 | 569 |
| Food Use | 89 | 321 | 62 | 472 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | 86 | 10 | 97 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 90 | 150 | 20 | 260 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 60 | 120 | - | 180 |
| Food aid needs | 30 | 30 | 20 | 80 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 29 | 10 | 29 | 68 |
| of which: Delivered | 26 | - | 29 | 55 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 19 | 69 | 13 | 101 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 107 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 141 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 123 |
