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Area:
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2 268 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Tropical wet climate in the central basin, tropical wet-dry in the extreme north and south
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Population:
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46.19 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US $ 110 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; tropical country with access to sea
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate
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Major foodcrops:
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Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit
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Marketing year:
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January/December; Lean season: October (north), November-December (south)
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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15 percent
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Intensification of the civil conflict in eastern parts of the country has resulted in further population displacements and a deterioration of the food situation. Fighting in the past months in Kisangani town between Rwandan and Ugandan forces resulted in the killing of civilian populations, massive damage to the city infrastructure and fresh waves of displacements. Intense fighting has also been reported in parts of South Kivu between Mayi-Mayi militia and the "Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie". Killings of civilians have been reported around Uvira and Kalehe towns.
In general, the food supply situation is tight in most of the country due to the disruption of agricultural production and marketing caused by the persistent civil war. The situation is particularly serious for more than a million people internally displaced. Most IDPs have lost their homes and belongings and can not survive without humanitarian assistance. However, most of them are in conflict areas in eastern parts of the country and are not currently accessible due to insecurity and cut-off of roads. The food and health situation of these populations is reported to be critical. The situation also gives serious cause for concern in urban areas, particularly in the city of Kinshasa, where 10 percent of the 6 million inhabitants are estimated to suffer acute malnutrition.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 19 | 379 | 1 245 | 1 643 |
| Previous five years average imports | 131 | 44 | 42 | 217 |
| 2000 Domestic Availability | 18 | 233 | 1 247 | 1 498 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 18 | 350 | 1 247 | 1 615 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | 18 | 233 | 1 247 | 1 498 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 2000 Utilization | 158 | 283 | 1 307 | 1 748 |
| Food Use | 150 | 242 | 1 027 | 1 419 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 8 | 42 | 280 | 330 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2000 Import Requirement | 140 | 50 | 60 | 250 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 140 | 50 | 54 | 244 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 3 | 5 | 22 | 30 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of average: | 98 | |||
| 2000 import requirement as % of average: | 115 |
