Area:
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976 680 sq.km
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Climate:
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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.
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Population:
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65.0 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$100 (1999)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country
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Logistics:
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Land-locked country, roads inadequate
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Major foodcrops:
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Maize, teff, barley, sorghum, wheat, pulses, enset (false banana)
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Marketing year:
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January/December; Lean season: August-November
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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69 percent
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The planting of the 2001 secondary "belg" season crops has commenced in several locations. Scattered showers fell in February but substantial rains were received in March. The "belg" crop accounts for around 8 to 10 percent of annual cereal and pulses production but in some areas it is the main harvest. Harvesting of the main 2000 "meher" season crops was completed late last year. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in November/December found that the meher crop had recovered strongly from earlier expectations due to abundant rainfall which continued through October, benefiting late sown crops. The Mission forecast a meher harvest of 11.61 million tonnes of cereals, about 7.3 percent higher than the 1999 post-harvest estimate, mainly due to an increase in area planted.
Livestock, particularly in the pastoralist areas, was devastated last year by a prolonged drought, which caused acute water and fodder shortages, exacerbated later by infectious diseases and parasites. The southern pastoralist areas of Somali, Borena, Bale and South Omo were worst hit and cattle losses at levels of up to 50 percent have been noted. Consequently, animal production among pastoralists and agro-pastoralists has been severely reduced and will take several years to recover. The late meher rains in 2000 have helped considerably in regenerating pasture and browse and recharging water points. Animals in belg-dependant zones and woredas in the settled farming areas also suffered and draught animal numbers are reported to be lower than needed, affecting area planted and quality of land preparation.
The improved availability of cereals has resulted in falling grain prices in most markets. However, despite the good harvest, some 6.5 million people will require food assistance. The food aid requirement, including displaced and refugee needs, for 2001 marketing year (January/December) is estimated at about 640 000 tonnes. Donors are urged to support local purchases to provide some strength in the market.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 1 145 | - | 7 104 | 8 249 |
| Previous five years average imports | 556 | 17 | 45 | 618 |
| 2001 Domestic Availability | 1 369 | - | 7 569 | 8 938 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 1 369 | - | 7 569 | 8 938 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | 1 369 | - | 7 569 | 8 938 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 2001 Utilization | 2 219 | 50 | 7 639 | 9 908 |
| Food Use | 2 014 | 50 | 6 222 | 8 286 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 300 | 300 |
| Non-food use | 205 | - | 1 067 | 1 272 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 250 | 250 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 100 | 100 |
| 2001 Import Requirement | 850 | 50 | 70 | 970 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 270 | 50 | 10 | 330 |
| Food aid needs | 580 | - | 60 | 640 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 481 | - | 64 | 545 |
| of which: Delivered | 106 | - | 21 | 127 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 17 | 17 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 17 | 17 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 31 | 1 | 96 | 128 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 108 | |||
| 2001 import requirement as % of average: | 157 |
