| Area: | 627 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Semi-arid in the south; rest arid |
| Population: | 6.15 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput; n.a. |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Inadequate port facilities; serious shortage of fuel and spare parts |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, sorghum, sesame |
| Marketing year: | August/July; Lean season: June-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 45 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The food supply situation gives serious cause for concern following the sharply reduced 1998 main "Gu" season foodcrop production, which was the fifth consecutive reduced harvest. Production of maize is estimated at 61 000 tonnes, half last year's reduced level, and that of sorghum at 22 000 tonnes, only one-fifth of the 1997 Gu harvest.
Even assuming a normal secondary "Deyr" cereal crop to be harvested early in 1999, the deficit in 1998/99 marketing year (August/July) is large, estimated at 377 000 tonnes. After accounting for commercial imports, the food aid requirement is estimated at around 125 000 tonnes.
The precarious food situation has been aggravated by the ban of livestock imports from Somalia by Saudi Arabia, a traditionally important market, which has reduced incomes of a large proportion of the pastoral population. Food shortages are reported in several parts and cereal prices have increased. There is an urgent need for food assistance to avoid a major food crisis.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 13 | 550 | 563 |
| Normal Imports | 70 | 60 | 10 | 140 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 40 | 20 | 10 | 70 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | - | 1 | 232 | 233 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 2 | 229 | 231 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 1 | 229 | 230 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 130 | 91 | 352 | 573 |
| Food Use | 130 | 91 | 327 | 548 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 130 | 90 | 120 | 340 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 70 | 75 | 70 | 215 |
| Food aid needs | 60 | 15 | 50 | 125 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 21 | 15 | 53 | 89 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 41 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 243 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 179 |
