Area:
|
886 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Tropical wet-dry climate with two rainy seasons in
north (November-December and March-May) and one in south (November-April)
|
Population:
|
32.30 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$
210 (1997)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; cereal surplus production
in south and south-west; cereal deficit in central and north-west. Distribution
difficulties
|
Logistics:
|
Serious shortage of rolling stock, fuel and spare parts
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, roots, tubers, sorghum, pulses, plantains, rice
|
Marketing year:
|
June/May; Lean season: February-April
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
60 percent
|
Planting of the 2000 main season cereal crops in the unimodal central and southern areas, as well as that of 1999/2000 short ("Vuli" ) crops in bi-modal northern areas, are underway. Generally below-normal rains in October have caused moisture stress, particularly for earlier planted crops.
The 1999 cereal crop, mainly maize, is estimated at 3.8 million tonnes, about 11 percent below last year's output due to erratic rains, reduced use of inputs and an outbreak of armyworms. By contrast, production of other food crops, including beans, potatoes, cassava and plantains have increased by nearly 13 percent to 3.3 million tonnes. As a result of the reduced production, the cereal import requirement in 1999/2000 is currently forecast at 600 000 tonnes. In addition to substitution with non-cereal foodcrops, much of the deficit is expected to be covered by commercial imports. However, food assistance is required for nearly 1.2 million people, mainly in the regions of Dodoma, Mara, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga and southern Mwanza, all of which have now suffered their third consecutive poor harvest. WFP has extended its current Emergency Operation in selected central, lake and coast regions until the end of 1999.
Food prices in most markets, particularly for beans and potatoes, have declined with the increased availability.
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
Normal Production |
85 |
607 |
3 230 |
3 922 |
Normal Imports |
60 |
25 |
- |
85 |
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
15 |
- |
30 |
1999/2000 Domestic Availability |
103 |
525 |
3 210 |
3 838 |
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
73 |
800 |
3 210 |
4 083 |
1999 Production (rice in milled terms) |
73 |
520 |
3 210 |
3 803 |
Possible stock drawdown |
30 |
5 |
- |
35 |
1999/2000 Utilization |
143 |
565 |
3 730 |
4 438 |
Food Use |
138 |
460 |
3 204 |
3 802 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
Non-food use |
5 |
105 |
526 |
636 |
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1999/2000 Import Requirement |
40 |
40 |
520 |
600 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
40 |
35 |
450 |
525 |
Food aid needs |
- |
5 |
70 |
75 |
Current Aid Position |
||||
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
8 |
8 |
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
8 |
8 |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
4 |
14 |
99 |
118 |
Indexes |
||||
1999 production as % of normal: |
104 |
|||
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: |
706 |
|||
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
250 |