FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 GABON 18

GABON

Area:

258 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet climate; most rainfall: October-May

Population:

1.26 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$3 350 (1999)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Coastal country

Logistics:

Ports and roads adequate

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: September-November

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

19 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Following below average rains in January and early February, rains increased in late February and became very abundant in mid-March. The main foodcrops are cassava and plantains but some maize is also produced (around 25 000 tonnes). The country commercially imports the bulk of its cereal requirement, estimated at around 87 000 tonnes in 2001.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2001 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 1 30 31

Previous five years average imports 44 34 2 80

2001 Domestic Availability - 1 32 33

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 1 32 33

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 1 32 33

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

2001 Utilization 50 36 34 120

Food Use 49 36 26 110

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 - 8 9

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

2001 Import Requirement 50 35 2 87

Anticipated commercial imports 50 35 2 87

Food aid needs - - - -

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - - -

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 39 28 20 88

Indexes

2001 production as % of average: 106

2001 import requirement as % of average: 109

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	258 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet climate; most rainfall: October-May
Population:	1.26 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$3 350 (1999)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Coastal country
Logistics:	Ports and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: September-November
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	19 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	1	30	31
Previous five years average imports	44	34	2	80
2001 Domestic Availability	-	1	32	33
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	1	32	33
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	1	32	33
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
2001 Utilization	50	36	34	120
Food Use	49	36	26	110
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	-	8	9
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2001 Import Requirement	50	35	2	87
Anticipated commercial imports	50	35	2	87
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	39	28	20	88
Indexes
2001 production as % of average:				106
2001 import requirement as % of average:				109