Area:
|
193 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Semi-arid in north, tropical wet-dry in south, with rains in June-October
|
Population:
|
9.48 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 530 (1998)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; coastal Sahelian country
|
Logistics:
|
Port capacity adequate; gateway to Mali.
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Millet and sorghum, rice, maize, wheat
|
Marketing year:
|
November/October; Lean season: August-September
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
61 percent
|
The rainy season is now well-established. Following early rains in the extreme south-east in mid or late May, rains progressed in June towards the southwest, the centre and the north. Dry conditions still prevailed in the north-west in late June but rains arrived during the first dekad of July. Plantings of coarse grains are underway in the centre and the north. Recently planted crops are emerging satisfactorily in the south.
Pastures are starting to regenerate in the south and the centre. No significant pest activity has been reported but pest control teams are reactivated at national or village level. Surveys as well as preventive treatments have been undertaken.
The national statistical services released new production figures. Aggregate cereal production in 1999 is now estimated 1 256 000 tonnes (with rice in paddy equivalent), which is 63 percent above 1998 level and 34 percent above the five-year average. The overall food situation is satisfactory. Following substantial imports of rice in late 1999 and early 2000, markets are well supplied and the price of rice is stable. Import taxes were reduced from 15.7 percent to 12.2 percent in early 2000. Prices of local cereals remain stable. However, in Casamance, in some areas of the departments of Diourbel, Kaffrine, Gossas, M'Backé and in the flooded areas of the Sénégal river valley (Dagana, Podor, Matam and Bakel), localized food supply difficulties are likely. The cereal import requirement for the 1999/2000 marketing year is estimated at 760 000 tonnes, including 450 000 tonnes of rice. The food aid requirement is estimated at 10 000 tonnes.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 172 | 762 | 934 |
| Previous five years average imports | 204 | 438 | 63 | 705 |
| 1999/2000 Domestic Availability | 10 | 255 | 892 | 1 156 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 364 | 892 | 1 256 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 255 | 892 | 1 146 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 10 | - | - | 10 |
| 1999/2000 Utilization | 235 | 705 | 977 | 1 916 |
| Food Use | 232 | 611 | 826 | 1 669 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Non-food use | 3 | 44 | 138 | 185 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | 50 | 12 | 62 |
| 1999/2000 Import Requirement | 225 | 450 | 85 | 760 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 220 | 450 | 80 | 750 |
| Food aid needs | 5 | - | 5 | 10 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 18 | 0 | 1 | 20 |
| of which: Delivered | 18 | 0 | 1 | 20 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 25 | 64 | 87 | 176 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of average: | 134 | |||
| 1999/2000 import requirement as % of average: | 108 |
