FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.22
| Area: | 622 980 sq km |
| Climate: | North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; rainy season: March-November |
| Population: | 3.75 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$280 (2000) |
| 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, fruit |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: May-July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 21 percent |
Precipitation has been generally widespread and abundant since March, notably over the eastern half of the country, benefiting recently planted coarse grains.
Following an above-average harvest in 2001, the food supply situation is satisfactory. With an improvement of the overall security situation, a nation-wide curfew was lifted in mid-May nearly one year after its imposition. In late May, WFP began an Emergency Operation to provide food to some 6 000 IDPs displaced by armed conflict in the northern part of the country.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 19 | 125 | 144 |
| Previous five years average imports | 31 | 3 | 3 | 37 |
| 2002 Domestic Availability | 5 | 16 | 125 | 146 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 25 | 125 | 150 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 16 | 125 | 141 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 2002 Utilization | 35 | 19 | 128 | 182 |
| Food use | 34 | 16 | 109 | 159 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | 3 | 18 | 22 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 Import Requirement | 30 | 3 | 3 | 36 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 30 | 3 | 2 | 35 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| of which: delivered | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 9 | 4 | 29 | 43 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 104 | |||
| 2002 Import requirement as % of average: | 97 |