Area:
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124 320 sq.km
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Climate:
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Highland areas: tropical wet/dry with unreliable rains. Lowlands: semi-arid to arid
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Population:
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3.0 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$200 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate, gateway to northern Ethiopia
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Major foodcrops:
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Sorghum, teff, millet, maize, pulses
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Marketing year:
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January/December; Lean season: August-November
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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73 percent
|
Grain production in 1999 is lower than the bumper crop in 1998 due to drought and delayed sowing. The drought in coastal areas was particularly severe affecting crops and pasture. In addition, in areas affected by conflict with Ethiopia, production was seriously reduced by population displacement.
The food situation is very tight for nearly 600 000 people affected by the war with Ethiopia and prevailing drought along the coastal areas. Prices of cereals are unseasonably high. In January 2000, prices of red sorghum, white wheat and barley were respectively higher by about 15, 27 and 23 percent compared to January 1999. Livestock prices have also showed an increase.
The UN Country Team appealed in January 2000 for US$42.7 million (62 800 tonnes of food) to assist some 372 000 war-affected and over 211 000 drought affected people. Total pledges by mid-March amounted to 12 000 tonnes.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | - | - | - |
| Normal Imports | - | - | - | - |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | - | - |
| 2000 Domestic Availability | 12 | - | 188 | 200 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 12 | - | 148 | 160 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | 12 | - | 148 | 160 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 40 | 40 |
| 2000 Utilization | 162 | - | 328 | 490 |
| Food Use | 157 | - | 263 | 420 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 5 | - | 65 | 70 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2000 Import Requirement | 150 | - | 140 | 290 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 70 | - | 120 | 190 |
| Food aid needs | 80 | - | 20 | 100 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 12 | - | - | 12 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 51 | - | 85 | 135 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of normal: | - | |||
| 2000 import requirement as % of normal: | - | |||
| 2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
