Planted areas in 1998 were above normal, except for groundnuts. 1998 aggregate cereal output should be close to average but below 1997�s level, and current estimates point to a production of about 800 000 tonnes.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory following the harvest of the main crops. Reduced demand from the sahelian countries that also had good harvests, is causing prices to remain low. The cereal import requirement for 1999 (January/December) is estimated at 200 000 tonnes (including re-exports) of wheat and rice.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Off-season crops are developing satisfactorily. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission estimated the aggregate 1998 cereal production at 2 387 800 tonnes which is well above the previous year�s output but remains about average.
The overall food supply situation has improved following this better harvest. Prices of cereals have decreased significantly following the harvest but increased slightly in late January/early February. In January, the Government launched bids to buy about 15 000 tonnes of local cereals in order to replenish the national security stock to its recommended level of 35 000 tonnes. Some deficit areas remain vulnerable and may need some assistance during the lean season.
The 1998 maize production has been estimated at 3 400 tonnes, which is below the previous year�s reduced harvest and well below average. Following successive poor harvests, some sections of the rural population may need assistance in food and/or seeds for the next season. However, the overall food supply situation remains satisfactory as the country imports the bulk of its consumption requirement. The cereal food aid requirements for 1998/99 amount to 95 000 tonnes. 48 400 tonnes have been pledged, of which 14 000 tonnes have been delivered so far
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Recession crops are developing satisfactorily. A joint CILSS/FAO Crop Assessment Mission estimated 1998 cereal production at a record 1 277 000 tonnes, which is 30 percent above the previous year�s output.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory, notably in the Sahelian zone which gathered well above average harvests. Prices of cereals declined following the harvest. This should facilitate local purchases for the reconstitution of the national security stock (which was almost exhausted) for which external assistance is required. Some food supply difficulties are likely in areas of the Sudanian zone affected by flooding in 1998.
Below-normal and erratic rainfall was recorded over C�te d�Ivoire, notably in the south. However, in the north, the rainfall situation has been satisfactory and could partly compensate for the reduced output in the south. Estimates for the 1998/99 cereal production point to about 1.6 million tonnes, compared with 1.55 million tonnes in 1997/98
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory with the arrival of the new crop on the market. Repatriation of about 140 000 Liberian refugees who remain in the country is underway. The cereal import requirement for 1999 (January/December), is estimated at 645 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A joint CILSS/FAO Crop Assessment Mission estimated the 1998 total cereal production at 120 980 tonnes, which is 16 percent higher than in 1997 and 18 percent above the average of the previous five years.
The overall food supply situation is anticipated to be satisfactory in light of the relatively good harvest. Cereal prices declined following the harvest. However, the food supply situation may become tight during the lean season in the Lower River Division, particularly in the Nuimis districts, due to a reduced millet output.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Aggregate 1998 cereal production is estimated at 1.78 million tonnes, which is slightly above 1997. Production has recovered in the extreme north, where crop output had been reduced in 1997. Roots and tubers production is estimated at about 13.44 million tonnes, which is well above average.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory following the harvest of the main crops. About 30 000 Liberian refugees who remain in the country are receiving food assistance. The 1999 cereal import requirement is estimated at 500 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
Following widespread and abundant rainfall during the whole growing season, production estimates for 1999 point to about 900 000 tonnes, which is about average. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory.
The total number of refugees in Guinea is estimated at 614 000, made up of about 414 000 Sierra Leoneans and 200 000 Liberians. They are mainly in the south of the country, putting high pressure on natural and food resources in these areas. The 1999 cereal import requirement is estimated at 410 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
Resurgence of fighting in the capital on 31 January caused damage to infrastructure and renewed population displacements. Although the food supply situation had improved somewhat following the rice harvest in late 1998, production was lower than the previous year due to insecurity, fighting and adverse weather in some areas. Food distribution has resumed and an estimated 250 000 people are currently in urgent need of assistance, notably in or around the capital, Bissau, and near Cumura, Prabis and Safim.
An FAO Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited Liberia late last year and found that the overall food situation had improved significantly. The Mission estimated paddy production in 1998 at 210 100 tonnes, up 25 percent on the estimate for 1997 and about 70 percent of the pre-civil strife 1986-90 average. Cassava production is estimated at 313 300 tonnes (fresh weight), which is 96 percent of the pre- crisis average. The increase in production was mainly due to an expansion of area planted and higher yields. In addition, improved varieties of cassava have become more readily available from a number of NGO-supported projects.
In spite of some improvement in the nutritional status of the population, the country continues to rely heavily on humanitarian assistance. Food assistance is being provided to about 1.7 million IDPs and refugees from Sierra Leone. Organized repatriation is underway for about 480 000 Liberian refugees in neighbouring countries. In 1999, Liberia�s cereal import requirement is estimated at 155 000 tonnes, of which 105 000 tonnes are expected to be imported commercially.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Off-season crops are developing satisfactorily. A joint CILSS/FAO Crop Assessment Mission in October estimated the 1998 cereal production at a record 2.5 million tonnes, 13 percent above average and 3 percent over the 1994 record. Low numbers of Desert Locusts may be present in a few areas of the Adrar des Iforas.
Following this record crop, the food supply situation is satisfactory. Prices of cereals have declined. There is a substantial surplus for local purchase, export or triangular transaction.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Off-season and recession crops are developing satisfactorily. The October/November joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission cereal production estimate of 202 600 tonnes has been revised downwards to 164 000 tonnes. This represents a 7.4 percent increase on the previous year but remains below-average. In early January, scattered Desert Locust adults were observed in the south- west in Brakna, east of Aleg. Similarly, adults are expected to be present and persist in a few areas of the north.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory but localised shortages are likely following reduced crops in some areas. The cereal import requirement (including re- exports) for 1998/99 (November/October) is estimated at 305 000 tonnes and the food aid requirement at 35 000 tonnes.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A joint CILSS/FAO Crop Assessment Mission in October estimated the 1998 aggregate cereal production at a record 3 million tonnes, about 77 percent higher than in 1997 and about 45 percent above the average of the last five years. Some Desert Locusts may be present in a few areas of Tamesna.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Low cereal prices should facilitate local purchases for the reconstitution of the national security stock for which external assistance is required. However, the food supply situation is likely to be tight in some areas which are chronically food deficit, notably in Agadez, Diffa or Tillabery departments.
The official estimate of cereal output in 1998 is put at 22.8 million tonnes, about 4 percent above the 1997 level, due to the favourable growing conditions. Production of roots and tubers, mainly cassava and yams, is estimated at 62 million tonnes, which is well above average.
Food supply is constrained by high levels of post-harvest losses and high distribution costs but is satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for 1999 is estimated at 1 250 000 tonnes, including 1.05 million tonnes of wheat and 150 000 tonnes of rice.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in late October estimated the 1998 rainfed cereal production at 976 400 tonnes, about 24 percent above the 1997 reduced harvest but 3 percent below the average of the last five years. With favourable prospects for recession and off-season crops, total cereal production is forecast at slightly over 1 million tonnes.
The overall food supply situation is expected to improve. Markets are well supplied. Prices of rice are generally stable. Prices of millet and sorghum were declining in early February and are much lower than in 1998. However, some localized food supply difficulties are likely for vulnerable populations affected by successive poor harvests, notably in the centre and the north. The cereal import requirement for the 1998/99 marketing year (November/October) is estimated at about 800 000 tonnes, mainly rice and wheat.
The food supply situation remains critical in Freetown, following recent escalation of violence. Some 117 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been registered at six locations in western Freetown and limited food distributions are underway. Severe food and fuel shortages are reported and most traders and importers have left Freetown. Aid agencies� warehouses in Freetown have been looted and humanitarian aid distributions remain very limited. If insecurity continues, most scheduled rehabilitation activities, including seed and tool distribution and technical assistance, will be delayed or remain limited. As a result, agricultural production in the coming season, starting in May, is likely to be reduced.
Fighting in the east, notably in Bo, Kenema, Koidu and Makeni in late 1998 and early 1999 has severely disrupted food distribution in these areas and caused large population displacements. UNHCR estimates that there are currently around 350 000 internally displaced people in the country, most of them in Kenema, Bo (the second city of Sierra Leone) and in the western border area of Kambia. Pockets of acute food shortage are located in these areas where insecurity prevents humanitarian activities.
Despite favourable conditions, the area planted in 1998 is estimated to have been substantially lower than in 1997 due to insecurity, and estimates point to a cereal output of about 400 000 tonnes, which is 20 percent lower. Sierra Leone�s cereal import requirement for 1999 is estimated at about 290 000 tonnes, including 140 000 tonnes of food aid.
Following late and inadequate rainfall, cereal output in 1998 point to about 590 000 tonnes, about 15 percent below last year�s record. Roots and tubers production, which is less sensitive to dry periods, recorded a 5 percent increase over last year�s level, reaching 1.29 million tonnes.
The food supply situation is satisfactory. Food prices are decreasing following the start of the harvesting period. The cereal import requirement (including re-exports) for 1999 (January/December) is estimated at 115 000 tonnes.
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