FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 2000 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 8

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Area:

623 000 sq.km

Climate:

North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November

Population:

3.62 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 300 (1998)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: May-July

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

21 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Widespread and significant rains in late March permitted land preparation. Precipitation remained generally below average in April and early May, except in the south. Rains improved during the second dekad of May but decreased in the south and the west during the third dekad. They were generally adequate in June and early July, except in the south-west in early July.

Following a record cereal crop in 1999, estimated at 161 000 tonnes, the food supply situation is satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for the 2000 marketing year is estimated at 29 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 14 112 126

Previous five years average imports 26 4 3 33

2000 Domestic Availability - 13 140 153

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 21 140 161

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - 13 140 153

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

2000 Utilization 25 15 142 182

Food Use 24 13 109 146

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 3 21 24

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - 12 12

2000 Import Requirement 25 2 2 29

Anticipated commercial imports 25 2 1 28

Food aid needs - - 1 1

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - 1 1

of which: Delivered - - 1 1

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 7 4 30 41

Indexes

1999 production as % of average: 128

2000 import requirement as % of average: 88

FAO/GIEWS - August 2000

Area:	623 000 sq.km
Climate:	North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November
Population:	3.62 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 300 (1998)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: May-July
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	21 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	14	112	126
Previous five years average imports	26	4	3	33
2000 Domestic Availability	-	13	140	153
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	21	140	161
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	13	140	153
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
2000 Utilization	25	15	142	182
Food Use	24	13	109	146
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	3	21	24
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	12	12
2000 Import Requirement	25	2	2	29
Anticipated commercial imports	25	2	1	28
Food aid needs	-	-	1	1
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	1	1
of which: Delivered	-	-	1	1
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	7	4	30	41
Indexes
1999 production as % of average:				128
2000 import requirement as % of average:				88