FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 GABON 18

GABON

Area:

258 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet climate; most rainfall: October-May

Population:

1.48 million (2000 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

The main foodcrops are cassava and plantains but some maize is also produced (around 25 000 tonnes). The country commercially imports the bulk of its cereal requirement, estimated at around 82 000 tonnes in 2000. In a census conducted in November and December 1999 in Libreville, about 13 500 Congolese refugees were registered in Haut-Ogooue in the east and Nyanga in the southwest, the two provinces bordering Congo. Congolese refugees in two other provinces, Ngounie and Ogooue-Lolo, are estimated between 3 000 and 4 000. There are also about 1 500 people from other countries such as Angola, Chad, DRC, Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda. Food supplies to the refugees and other sources ran out in mid-February. WFP will provide some 12 000 refugees with 1 200 tonnes of food for six months.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - - 25 25

Normal Imports 45 35 2 82

of which: Structural food aid 0 - - 0

2000 Domestic Availability - - 27 27

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - - 25 25

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 25 25

Possible stock drawdown - - 2 2

2000 Utilization 45 35 29 109

Food Use 44 35 21 100

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 - 8 9

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

2000 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) 30 24 14 68

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 100

2000 import requirement as % of normal: 100

2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: -

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

Area:	258 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet climate; most rainfall: October-May
Population:	1.48 million (2000 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	45	35	2	82
of which: Structural food aid	0	-	-	0
2000 Domestic Availability	-	-	27	27
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	25	25
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	25	25
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	2	2
2000 Utilization	45	35	29	109
Food Use	44	35	21	100
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	-	8	9
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2000 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)	30	24	14	68
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				100
2000 import requirement as % of normal:				100
2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-