FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.31
| Area: | 976 680 sq km |
| Climate: | Northern coastal area and lowlands in south and east are semi-arid to arid; rest of country has a highland rainy climate with mild winter. |
| Population: | 66.5 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$100 (2000) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Land-locked country, roads inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, teff, barley, sorghum, wheat, pulses, enset (false banana) |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: August-November |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 69 percent |
Despite a favourable onset of the 2002 secondary “belg” season rainfall and consequent optimistic crop prospects, its poor distribution and early withdrawal has created a rather alarming food situation in several parts of the country. The belg crop accounts for some 10 percent of total grain production but in some areas it provides most of the annual grain production. The main “meher” rainy season is also off to a poor start with the important July rainfall well below normal. Heavy rains were mainly confined to small areas in the western highlands, although moderate to heavy showers hit parts of north-central towards the end of July.
In response to this alarming situation the Government has launched a special alert on 12 July. Of immediate concern are Afar and Kereyu pastoralists in the east and north-eastern parts of the country. Large number of livestock deaths and unusual migrations in search of water and pasture were reported. Other areas of concern include, low lands of Bale and Hararghe in Oromia Region, and Shinile, Fik, Dagahbour, and Jijiga Zones in Somali Region. The sharp fall in prices following the bumper 2001 main “meher” season is now reversed with sharp rises reported in parts. The number of people in need of emergency food aid requirements in 2002, estimated earlier at some 5.2 million people, has been revised upwards to more than 8.5 million people. An Emergency Operation was jointly approved in May 2002 by FAO and WFP for food assistance to 2.1 million small scale farmers and drought-affected pastoralists, worth US$51.1 million for a period of 12 months (1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003).
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 1 211 | - | 7 230 | 8 441 |
| Previous five years average imports | 697 | 13 | 58 | 768 |
| 2002 Domestic Availability | 1 800 | - | 7 527 | 9 327 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 1 400 | - | 7 427 | 8 827 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | 1 400 | - | 7 427 | 8 827 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 400 | - | 100 | 500 |
| 2002 Utilization | 2 060 | 15 | 7 552 | 9 627 |
| Food use | 1 920 | 15 | 6 507 | 8 442 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | 5 | - | 195 | 200 |
| Non-food use | 140 | - | 895 | 1 035 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | 150 | 150 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 Import Requirement | 260 | 15 | 25 | 300 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 110 | 15 | - | 125 |
| Food aid needs | 150 | - | 25 | 175 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 115 | 1 | 25 | 140 |
| of which: delivered | 43 | - | 24 | 67 |
| Donor-financed purchases | 5 | - | 2 | 7 |
| of which: for local use | 5 | - | 2 | 7 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 29 | 0 | 98 | 127 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 105 | |||
| 2002 Import requirement as % of average: | 39 |