FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 GABON 18

GABON

Area:

258 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet climate; most rainfall: October-May

Population:

1.44 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 4 230 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Coastal country

Logistics:

Ports and roads adequate

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: September-November

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

19 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Production of main foodcrops (cassava and plantains) is estimated at about 330 000 tonnes. The country commercially imports the bulk of its cereal requirement, estimated at around 82 000 tonnes in 1999.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - - 25 25

Normal Imports 40 35 2 77

of which: Structural food aid 0 - - 0

1999 Domestic Availability - - 25 25

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) - - 25 25

1998 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 25 25

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

1999 Utilization 45 35 27 107

Food Use 44 35 19 98

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 - 8 9

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999 Import Requirement 45 35 2 82

Anticipated commercial imports 45 35 2 82

Food aid needs - - - -

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - - -

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 31 24 13 68

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal: 100

1999 import requirement as % of normal: 106

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: -

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	258 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet climate; most rainfall: October-May
Population:	1.44 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 4 230 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Coastal country
Logistics:	Ports and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: September-November
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	19 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	-	25	25
Normal Imports	40	35	2	77
of which: Structural food aid	0	-	-	0
1999 Domestic Availability	-	-	25	25
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	25	25
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	25	25
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999 Utilization	45	35	27	107
Food Use	44	35	19	98
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	-	8	9
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999 Import Requirement	45	35	2	82
Anticipated commercial imports	45	35	2	82
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	31	24	13	68
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				100
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				106
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-