FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 8

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Area:

623 000 sq.km

Climate:

North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November

Population:

3.68 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$290 (1999)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: May-July

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

21 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Precipitation was below average in January and early February. Above-average rains were received in the south and the centre in early and mid-March. Following successive good harvests, the food supply situation remains satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for the 2001 marketing year is estimated at 33 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 16 121 137

Previous five years average imports 25 4 3 32

2001 Domestic Availability - 10 123 134

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 16 121 137

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 10 121 132

Possible stock drawdown - - 2 2

2001 Utilization 25 15 126 167

Food Use 24 13 108 146

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 2 18 21

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

2001 Import Requirement 25 5 3 33

Anticipated commercial imports 25 5 1 31

Food aid needs - - 2 2

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) 7 4 29 40

Indexes

2001 production as % of average: 100

2001 import requirement as % of average: 103

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	623 000 sq.km
Climate:	North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November
Population:	3.68 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$290 (1999)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: May-July
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	21 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	16	121	137
Previous five years average imports	25	4	3	32
2001 Domestic Availability	-	10	123	134
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	16	121	137
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	10	121	132
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	2	2
2001 Utilization	25	15	126	167
Food Use	24	13	108	146
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	2	18	21
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2001 Import Requirement	25	5	3	33
Anticipated commercial imports	25	5	1	31
Food aid needs	-	-	2	2
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)	7	4	29	40
Indexes
2001 production as % of average:				100
2001 import requirement as % of average:				103