FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.16
| Area: | 112 620 sq km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (March-July and October) and one in north (May-October) |
| Population: | 6.43 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput US$370 (2000) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports, roads, rail adequate; gateway to Niger |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, maize |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-June |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 37 percent |
First rains started in the south in early April, allowing land preparation and planting of the first maize crop. They progressed to the north in April and were widespread and above average in early May, allowing planting and emergence of millet and sorghum crops in the north. Rainfall decreased somewhat in late May, became generally below average in mid-June, but resumed in late June. Precipitation remains abundant in early July in the north but decreased significantly in the south.
Following an average cereal harvest in 2001, estimated at about 900 000 tonnes, the overall food supply situation remains satisfactory. Cereal imports for domestic use and re-exports during the 2002 marketing year are estimated at 144 000 tonnes, including 14 000 tonnes of food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 34 | 855 | 889 |
| Previous five years average imports | 53 | 97 | 4 | 154 |
| 2002 Domestic Availability | - | 29 | 910 | 939 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 49 | 855 | 904 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 29 | 855 | 884 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 55 | 55 |
| 2002 Utilization | 58 | 113 | 912 | 1 083 |
| Food use | 52 | 81 | 647 | 780 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | 7 | 210 | 218 |
| Exports or re-exports | 5 | 25 | 55 | 85 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 Import Requirement | 58 | 84 | 2 | 1441/ |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 55 | 75 | - | 130 |
| Food aid needs | 3 | 9 | 2 | 14 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 3 | 11 | 3 | 17 |
| of which: delivered | - | 9 | 2 | 12 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 8 | 13 | 101 | 121 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 102 | |||
| 2002 Import requirement as % of average: | 94 |
1/ Includes 5 000 tonnes of wheat and 25 000 tonnes of rice for re-exports.