FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 COMOROS 10

COMOROS

Area:

2 200 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry; one hot rainy season with cyclone probability; June-October dry and cool

Population:

0.73 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 470 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago of four small islands

Logistics:

-

Major foodcrops:

Rice, roots, tubers, bananas and coconuts

Marketing year:

January/December

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

44 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Most of the country's agricultural land is planted to cash crops, bananas and root crops. Only one-quarter of the cereal requirement is produced locally and, consequently, there is a structural deficit of some 46 000 tonnes of cereals, largely covered by commercial imports. Food aid needs are estimated at 10 000 tonnes.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - 17 4 21

Normal Imports 5 35 - 40

of which: Structural food aid 1 5 - 6

1999 Domestic Availability - 4 4 8

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 3 4 7

1998 Production (rice in milled terms) - 2 4 6

Possible stock drawdown - 2 - 2

1999 Utilization 6 44 4 54

Food Use 6 42 2 50

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - 2 2 4

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999 Import Requirement 6 40 - 46

Anticipated commercial imports 5 31 - 36

Food aid needs 1 9 - 10

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - 1 - 1

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 8 58 3 69

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 33

1999 import requirement as % of normal: 115

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: 167

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	2 200 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; one hot rainy season with cyclone probability; June-October dry and cool
Population:	0.73 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 470 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago of four small islands
Logistics:	-
Major foodcrops:	Rice, roots, tubers, bananas and coconuts
Marketing year:	January/December
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	44 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	17	4	21
Normal Imports	5	35	-	40
of which: Structural food aid	1	5	-	6
1999 Domestic Availability	-	4	4	8
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	3	4	7
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	2	4	6
Possible stock drawdown	-	2	-	2
1999 Utilization	6	44	4	54
Food Use	6	42	2	50
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	2	2	4
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999 Import Requirement	6	40	-	46
Anticipated commercial imports	5	31	-	36
Food aid needs	1	9	-	10
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	1	-	1
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	8	58	3	69
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				33
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				115
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				167