Area:
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1 025 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Mostly a Saharian country; semi-arid fringe in extreme south with rains in June-September
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Population:
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2.64 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 410 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
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Logistics:
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Port capacity adequate, though storms during January-March sometimes cause difficulties
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Major foodcrops:
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Wheat, rice, millet and sorghum
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Marketing year:
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November/October; Lean season: July-September
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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54 percent
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Prospects for off-season and recession crops are excellent (anticipated to be the best in 30-40 years in many areas). Abundant precipitation during the rainy season filled dams, enabling much larger areas to be sown with recession (walo) or "bas-fonds" crops. Pest attacks are also limited. However, the high level reached by the Sénégal river caused substantial flooding in Brakna, Gorgol and Trarza, in the Sénégal river basin and reduced irrigated rice production.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission estimated aggregate cereal production in 1999/2000 at 250 900 tonnes (with rice in paddy equivalent) which is 28 percent above the 1998/99 production and well above average. Desert Locusts have been reported in Dakhlet Nouadhibou, in northern Trarza and Tiris Zemmour. Breeding of sparse populations will continue in the extreme north-west but the development could be slowed down by low temperatures. From the Zouerate area to the Malian border, scattered mature populations were observed in February. In Tagant, hoppers and adults were also reported. Elsewhere in the country, no significant developments are likely.
The food situation improved in rural areas following a good harvest, except in the flooded areas. Food distributions are underway for the affected populations. Markets are well supplied and prices of cereals declined substantially following harvest. Some areas of Aftout and Affolé, Tagant, southern Assaba and the two Hodhs are also vulnerable. The cereal import requirement for the 1999/2000 marketing year is estimated at 260 000 tonnes (excluding re-exports) and the food aid requirement at 25 000 tonnes.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 71 | 101 | 172 |
| Normal Imports | 200 | 70 | 12 | 282 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 17 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| 1999/2000 Domestic Availability | 20 | 68 | 165 | 252 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 86 | 165 | 251 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 58 | 165 | 222 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 20 | 10 | - | 30 |
| 1999/2000 Utilization | 235 | 128 | 165 | 527 |
| Food Use | 195 | 114 | 112 | 421 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| Non-food use | 25 | 10 | 26 | 61 |
| Exports or Re-exports | 15 | 3 | 2 | 20 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| 1999/2000 Import Requirement | 215 | 60 | - | 2751/ |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 200 | 50 | - | 250 |
| Food aid needs | 15 | 10 | - | 25 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| of which: Delivered | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 74 | 43 | 42 | 159 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of normal: | 146 | |||
| 1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: | 98 | |||
| 1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 93 |
