Area:
|
4 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Semi-arid; rainfall increases with altitude; rainy season: July-December
|
Population:
|
457 000 (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$1 330 (2000)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago
|
Logistics:
|
Port capacity and roads adequate
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, rice, pulses
|
Marketing year:
|
November/October; Lean season: n.a. since 90 percent of requirements covered by imports
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
57 percent
|
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Production of maize (virtually the only cereal produced in the country) in 2001 has been estimated by a joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in mid-October at 18 680 tonnes. This is 23 percent lower than the previous year but some 5 000 tonnes higher than average. In early January 2002 the country experienced unseasonable heavy rains and floods which caused damage to infrastructure and farmland.
In anticipation of a tight food supply situation in several areas, the Government has appealed for international food assistance, as well as agricultural inputs.
Cereal import requirement in 2001/02 marketing year is forecast at 93 000 tonnes, with food aid accounting for more than 50 percent. Pledges amount to 39 000 tonnes, of which 16 000 tonnes have been delivered so far.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total | |
|
Previous five years average production |
- |
- |
14 |
14 |
Previous five years average imports |
21 |
31 |
38 |
90 |
|
2001/02 Domestic Availability |
- |
- |
19 |
19 |
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
- |
19 |
19 |
2001 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
- |
19 |
19 |
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2001/02 Utilization |
23 |
30 |
59 |
112 |
Food use |
23 |
30 |
51 |
104 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
Exports or re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
5 |
5 |
|
2001/02 Import Requirement |
23 |
30 |
40 |
93 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
5 |
20 |
20 |
45 |
Food aid needs |
18 |
10 |
20 |
48 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
Food aid pledges |
11 |
7 |
21 |
39 |
of which: delivered |
4 |
5 |
7 |
16 |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
50 |
66 |
111 |
227 |
Indexes |
||||
2001 Production as % of average: |
134 | |||
2001/02 Import requirement as % of average: |
103 |
