Area:
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274 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Tropical wet-dry in south, semi-arid in north; rainy season: May-October
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Population:
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11.25 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 240 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; Sahelian land-locked country
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate during rainy season; adequate rail link to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
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Major foodcrops:
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Millet, sorghum, pulses, maize
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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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73 percent
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Following generally above normal rains during the first and the third dekad of May, precipitation decreased significantly during the first dekad of June but became widespread and abundant in mid June. Rains again decreased in late June except in the east and remained generally below normal in early July. Cumulative rainfall as of late June was generally above last year's level and above average. Therefore, conditions were favourable for the planting of millet and sorghum in the north and for their emergence in the rest of the country but more rains are needed to avoid water stress following reduced precipitation of late June/early July, notably in Kossi, Mouhoun and Sourou provinces in the north-west and in Gnagna, Namentenga and Ganzourgou provinces in the east. Pastures are starting to regenerate countrywide and water reserves are being replenished. No pest activity is reported.
The final 1999 production estimates released by the statistical services indicate that 1999 aggregate production of cereals reached a record of 2.7 million tonnes (including paddy), some 13 percent above the five year average. Millet and sorghum production showed a decrease, while maize and rice production increased. Following this record crop, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are well supplied and prices of local millet and sorghum are significantly lower than in previous several years. Traders are importing cereals from Mali in Soum, Sourou and Yatenga provinces. However, some populations will remain vulnerable during the lean season following successive below-average harvests, notably in the provinces of Boulkiemdé, Samnatenga and Sanguié. The cereal import requirement for the 1999/2000 marketing year (November/October) is estimated at 155 000 tonnes, mainly wheat and rice. Emergency food assistance has been distributed in the provinces of Boulkiemdé, Kouritenga, Passoré, Poni, and Yatenga to 12 000 Burkinabe returnees from Côte d'Ivoire.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 87 | 2 303 | 2 390 |
| Previous five years average imports | 57 | 91 | 23 | 171 |
| 1999/2000 Domestic Availability | 1 | 92 | 2 606 | 2 699 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 94 | 2 606 | 2 700 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 62 | 2 606 | 2 668 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 1 | 30 | - | 31 |
| 1999/2000 Utilization | 56 | 182 | 2 616 | 2 854 |
| Food Use | 55 | 171 | 2 121 | 2 347 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 11 | 403 | 415 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 27 | 27 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 65 | 65 |
| 1999/2000 Import Requirement | 55 | 90 | 10 | 155 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 45 | 80 | 6 | 131 |
| Food aid needs | 10 | 10 | 4 | 24 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 7 | - | 4 | 10 |
| of which: Delivered | 7 | - | 4 | 10 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 5 | 15 | 189 | 209 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of average: | 113 | |||
| 1999/2000 import requirement as % of average: | 91 |
