FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 BENIN 2

BENIN

Area:

111 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (Mar.-Jul. and Oct.) and one in north (May-Oct.)

Population:

6.26 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput US$380 (1999)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country

Logistics:

Ports, roads, rail adequate; gateway to Niger

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, maize

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: April-June

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

37 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Planting of the first maize crop is underway in the south and will progress northwards following the onset of the rains. Reflecting generally adequate growing conditions, the aggregate 2000 cereal production is estimated at 905 000 tonnes, which is slightly below last year's record but remains well above average.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are well supplied and prices of cereals remain generally stable. Cereal imports, for domestic use and re-exports during the 2001 marketing year are estimated at 143 000 tonnes and food aid requirements at 11 000 tonnes.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 24 769 793

Previous five years average imports 49 121 4 174

2001 Domestic Availability - 21 880 901

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 36 870 905

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 21 870 891

Possible stock drawdown - - 10 10

2001 Utilization 55 106 883 1 044

Food Use 49 81 614 744

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 5 213 220

Exports or Re-exports 5 20 55 80

Possible stock build up - - - -

2001 Import Requirement 55 85 3 143¹^/

Anticipated commercial imports 52 80 - 132

Food aid needs 3 5 3 11

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 1 3 1 5

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 8 13 98 119

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 114

2001 import requirement as % of average: 82

1/ Includes 20 000 tonnes of re-exports of rice and 5 000 tonnes of wheat.

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	111 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (Mar.-Jul. and Oct.) and one in north (May-Oct.)
Population:	6.26 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput US$380 (1999)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:	Ports, roads, rail adequate; gateway to Niger
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, maize
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: April-June
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	37 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	24	769	793
Previous five years average imports	49	121	4	174
2001 Domestic Availability	-	21	880	901
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	36	870	905
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	21	870	891
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	10	10
2001 Utilization	55	106	883	1 044
Food Use	49	81	614	744
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	5	213	220
Exports or Re-exports	5	20	55	80
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2001 Import Requirement	55	85	3	143¹^/
Anticipated commercial imports	52	80	-	132
Food aid needs	3	5	3	11
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	1	3	1	5
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	8	13	98	119
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				114
2001 import requirement as % of average:				82