FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 GUINEA-BISSAU 22

GUINEA-BISSAU

Area:

28 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October

Population:

1.18 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$160 (1999)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important

Major foodcrops:

Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: May-August

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

64 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in mid-October estimated 2000 cereal production at 168 000 tonnes which is 21 percent above the previous year's level and close to the pre-crisis level of 1997.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets remain well supplied countrywide and prices are stable. However, some population groups with low purchase power are facing food difficulties, notably in urban areas and in Pirada, Fulacunda, Tite, S. Domingos and Ingoré areas.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2000/01 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 97 61 158

Previous five years average imports 7 65 2 74

2000/01 Domestic Availability - 69 64 133

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 104 64 168

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 69 64 133

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

2000/01 Utilization 7 129 79 216

Food Use 7 111 53 170

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - 12 21 33

Exports or Re-exports - 2 - 2

Possible stock build up - 5 6 11

2000/01 Import Requirement 7 60 5 72

Anticipated commercial imports 5 55 - 60

Food aid needs 2 5 5 12

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - 1 - 1

of which: Delivered - 1 - 1

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 6 94 45 144

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 106

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 97

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	28 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October
Population:	1.18 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$160 (1999)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops:	Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: May-August
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	64 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	97	61	158
Previous five years average imports	7	65	2	74
2000/01 Domestic Availability	-	69	64	133
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	104	64	168
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	69	64	133
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
2000/01 Utilization	7	129	79	216
Food Use	7	111	53	170
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	12	21	33
Exports or Re-exports	-	2	-	2
Possible stock build up	-	5	6	11
2000/01 Import Requirement	7	60	5	72
Anticipated commercial imports	5	55	-	60
Food aid needs	2	5	5	12
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	1	-	1
of which: Delivered	-	1	-	1
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	6	94	45	144
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				106
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				97