Area:
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2.4 million sq.km
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Climate:
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From north to south, arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry. Rainy season: May-October
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Population:
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31.95 million (2001 estimate); GNP per caput: US$330 (1999)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; cereal production mainly in eastern and central areas.
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Logistics:
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Roads, railway and river transport inadequate
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Major foodcrops:
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Sorghum, millet, wheat, roots and tubers, oils
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Marketing year:
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November/October; Lean season: September-October
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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51 percent
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An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission which visited the country late last year estimated a well below-average coarse grain production following late rains and prolonged dry spells. By contrast, prospects for the 2001 wheat crop, now being harvested, is promising. Total cereal production in 2000/01, estimated at 3.4 million tonnes, is about 20 percent below the previous five years' average.
Serious food shortages have emerged in several parts of the country due to the Lower harvests and depletion of stocks leading to a sharp rise in cereal prices. The population most affected by the current poor season are found mainly in Darfur, Kordofan, North Bahr el Ghazal, Bahr el Jebel, East Equatoria, Jonglei, Juba and Butana province in Gezira State. About 600 000 of these people will be in dire need of urgent food assistance. In addition, some 2.4 million people affected by the ongoing civil strife in the south will need continued assistance. With few resources left and coping mechanisms stretched to the limit, farmers and other vulnerable groups have already started to migrate in search of work and food. Consumption of seed grains will reduce their productive capacity and ability to sustain themselves in the coming agricultural season. A timely and targeted intervention is essential to prevent further human suffering.
The erratic rainfall also had a devastating effect on range vegetation, as well as on the availability of feed from grain and crop residues, especially in rainfed areas. The drastic fall in feed is expected to lead to widespread under-nutrition in livestock. Market supply of livestock has increased substantially, depressing prices and thus household incomes.
An revised Emergency Operation was jointly approved in January 2001 by FAO and WFP for food assistance to 2.4 million people affected by war, drought and floods, worth an additional US$50.2 million for a period of 4 months.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 418 | 3 | 3 871 | 4 292 |
| Previous five years average imports | 694 | 28 | 64 | 786 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 330 | 3 | 3 141 | 3 474 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 330 | 5 | 3 069 | 3 404 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | 330 | 3 | 3 069 | 3 402 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 72 | 72 |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 1 341 | 28 | 3 231 | 4 600 |
| Food Use | 1 303 | 26 | 2 834 | 4 163 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Non-food use | 38 | 1 | 377 | 416 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Possible stock build up | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 1 011 | 25 | 90 | 1 126 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 1 000 | 25 | - | 1 025 |
| Food aid needs | 11 | - | 90 | 101 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 3 | - | 23 | 26 |
| of which: Delivered | 3 | - | 18 | 21 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 41 | 1 | 89 | 130 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 79 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 143 |
