FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.18
| Area: | 274 000 sq km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry in south, semi-arid in north; rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 11.74 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$210 (2000) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; Sahelian land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season; adequate rail link to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet, sorghum, pulses, maize |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: July-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 73 percent |
Rainfall was generally erratic and below average until late June, when the Government officially declared 14 provinces (out of 45) water-deficient. However rains increased significantly in July over the entire country, particularly in the north. With this improvement, millet and sorghum crops, which are generally emerging/tillering, have recovered and are developing quite satisfactorily. However, reflecting the erratic installation of the rainy season, stages of development vary greatly in the regions and plantings and replantings are still underway in several localities of the northern, eastern and central plateau regions. Due to the delayed rains and the earlier drier conditions, rainfall in August will be decisive for the output of the season.
The final 2001 production estimates released by the statistical services indicate that 2001 aggregate production of cereals reached a record of 3.11 million tonnes, 36 percent higher than the previous year and 28 percent above average
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are well supplied. However, above-normal cereal prices have been reported and localized food shortages may persist in areas which harvested poor crops due to early cession of the rains.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 98 | 2 330 | 2 428 |
| Previous five years average imports | 63 | 110 | 19 | 192 |
| 2001/02 Domestic Availability | - | 77 | 2 996 | 3 073 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 113 | 2 996 | 3 109 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 75 | 2 996 | 3 071 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 2 | - | 2 |
| 2001/02 Utilization | 60 | 187 | 2 997 | 3 243 |
| Food use | 59 | 173 | 2 175 | 2 407 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 14 | 461 | 476 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | 80 | 80 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 280 | 280 |
| 2001/02 Import Requirement | 60 | 110 | 1 | 171 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 50 | 98 | - | 148 |
| Food aid needs | 10 | 12 | 1 | 23 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 12 | - | 12 |
| of which: delivered | - | 12 | - | 12 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 5 | 15 | 185 | 205 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 128 | |||
| 2001/02 Import requirement as % of average: | 89 |