FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.19

Previous pageTable Of ContentsNext page


  BURUNDI

Area:25 700 sq km
Climate:Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons: Feb.-May and September-November
Population:6.8 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$110 (2000)
Specific characteristics of the country:Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
Logistics:Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); rail and road connections inadequate
Major foodcrops:Pulses, plantains, roots, tubers, maize and sorghum
Marketing year:January/December; Lean season: November-December
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:34 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

The output of the recently harvested 2002 second season crops is estimated at about 1.985 million tonnes, 4 percent above the 2001 second season output. This includes 180 000 tonnes of cereals, 182 000 tonnes of pulses 909 000 tonnes of root and tubers and 713 000 tonnes of bananas and plantains.

An improved security situation during the cropping season in most provinces, except in Ruyigi, boosted agricultural activities. Rains were normal to above normal and in general benefited development of sorghum, tubers and banana crops. However, excessive precipitation in April/May in the provinces of Gitega and Kirundo resulted in yield reductions of beans, particularly those late-planted. Beans production was estimated 3 percent lower than last year’s same season. The output of the 2002 first season crops was also good mainly for non-cereal foodcrops. Overall the 2002 foodcrop production is estimated 4 percent higher than last year and 6 percent higher than the average level of the pre-crisis period (1988-93).

Prices of food staples, that have been declining since harvest of the first 2002 season in January, remain stable with the exception of those of beans that have registered an increase. Food assistance continue to be necessary for vulnerable groups, including large numbers of internally displaced people.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2002 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

 WheatRiceCoarse grainsTotal
     Previous five years average production956215280
     Previous five years average imports2333864
2002 Domestic Availability949235293
     2002 Production (rice in paddy terms)961235305
     2002 Production (rice in milled terms)941235285
     Possible stock drawdown-8-8
2002 Utilization3454270358
     Food use3252238322
       of which: local purchase requirement----
     Non-food use223236
     Exports or re-exports----
     Possible stock build up----
2002 Import Requirement2553565
     Anticipated commercial imports1051530
     Food aid needs15-2035
Current Aid Position    
     Food aid pledges1-56
       of which: delivered1-23
     Donor-financed purchases----
       of which: for local use----
                        for export----
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)573446
Indexes    
     2002 Production as % of average:   109
     2002 Import requirement as % of average:   102

Previous pageTable Of ContentsNext page