FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.47
| Area: | 1 267 000 sq km |
| Climate: | Northern part arid, southern part semi-arid with rains in June-October |
| Population: | 10.67 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$180 (2000) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked Sahelian country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet and sorghum, pulses, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: July-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 70 percent |
After the first rains in the south in mid-May, precipitation covered the centre in early June. In late June and early July, precipitation generally remained irregular and below normal. The dry spell has stressed crops and recently planted crops have failed in several villages, necessitating replantings. However the last dekad registered abundant rains over most producing areas which will benefit crops stressed by earlier drier conditions. Flooding is even reported in Zinder department. Millet and sorghum are generally emerging/tillering, but plantings and replantings are still underway in several villages. Pastures are regenerating. Grasshopper infestations have been reported in Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua and Zinder departments. Insect attacks are also reported in Dosso and Tahoua, while grain-eating birds have been seen in Diffa. The Desert Locust situation is reported to be calm.
The final official aggregate 2001 cereal production is estimated at 3.11 million tonnes, 46 percent higher than the poor crop in the previous year and about one-third more than average.
Following this good harvest, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. However, an untimely sharp rise in cereal prices on all markets across the country has been reported, which makes access to food difficult. The above-normal cereal prices are mainly due to activities of speculators and outflows to Nigeria.
Cereal import requirement in 2001/02 (November/October) is estimated at some 345 000 tonnes, almost half actual imports in the previous year.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 8 | 65 | 2 316 | 2 389 |
| Previous five years average imports | 50 | 113 | 279 | 442 |
| 2001/02 Domestic Availability | 5 | 60 | 3 029 | 3 093 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 5 | 76 | 3 029 | 3 110 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | 5 | 50 | 3 029 | 3 083 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 10 | - | 10 |
| 2001/02 Utilization | 61 | 179 | 3 199 | 3 438 |
| Food use | 55 | 169 | 2 534 | 2 758 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 9 | 465 | 475 |
| Exports or re-exports | 5 | - | 20 | 25 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 180 | 180 |
| 2001/02 Import Requirement | 56 | 119 | 170 | 345 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 50 | 95 | 168 | 313 |
| Food aid needs | 6 | 24 | 2 | 32 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 6 | 25 | 2 | 32 |
| of which: delivered | - | 8 | - | 8 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 5 | 16 | 238 | 259 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 130 | |||
| 2001/02 Import requirement as % of average: | 78 |