Area:
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627 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Semi-arid in the south; rest arid
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Population:
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6.20 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput; n.a.
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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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Inadequate port facilities; serious shortage of fuel and spare parts
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Major foodcrops:
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Maize, sorghum, sesame
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Marketing year:
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August/July; Lean season: June-August
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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45 percent
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The output of the recently harvested secondary "deyr" season cereal crop, normally accounting for some 25-30 percent of annual cereal production, is forecast at 96 000 tonnes, significantly above the post-war average of 78 000 tonnes. Furthermore, the main "gu" season was an above average 224 000 tonnes. Latest estimates put the aggregate 2000/01 cereal production at 320 000 tonnes, about 31 percent above the previous year.
The overall food supply situation in parts of southern Somalia has improved with better "gu" and "deyr" harvests. However, recent nutrition surveys indicate continued high malnutrition rates, reflecting slow household recovery from the succession of droughts and long-term effects of years of insecurity. Moreover, recent injections of new currency into the market with the attendant depreciation of the Somali Shilling have caused a sharp increase in prices of food items and essential goods.
Elsewhere, in north-western Somalia (Somaliland) and north-eastern Somalia (Puntland), pasture and livestock conditions remain stable. However, the ban of livestock imports from eastern Africa by countries along the Arabian Peninsula due to a Rift Valley fever has caused substantial loss of income and has threatened the livelihoods of a large number of pastoral households.
Reflecting improved food supply, the estimated number of people in need of food assistance declined from 750 000 in 2000 to 500 000 this year. A UN inter-agency appeal has been launched on 12 March for US $130 million, to support livelihoods and assist the country's recovery.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 2 | 260 | 262 |
| Previous five years average imports | 122 | 92 | 74 | 288 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 30 | 10 | 320 | 360 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 320 | 320 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | 320 | 320 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 30 | 10 | - | 40 |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 100 | 72 | 391 | 563 |
| Food Use | 100 | 72 | 324 | 496 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 47 | 47 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 70 | 62 | 71 | 203 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 70 | 62 | 44 | 176 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 27 | 27 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 3 | - | 36 | 39 |
| of which: Delivered | 3 | - | 26 | 29 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 16 | 12 | 52 | 80 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 122 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 70 |
