FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.30
| Area: | 124 320 sq km |
| Climate: | Highland areas: tropical wet/dry with unreliable rains. Lowlands: semi-arid to arid |
| Population: | 3.3 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$170 (2000) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate, gateway to northern Ethiopia |
| Major foodcrops: | Sorghum, teff, millet, maize, pulses |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: August-November |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 73 percent |
Prospects for the current 2002 main season crops are bleak following severe and prolonged drought conditions. The spring (short) rains from March to May have totally failed undermining the early land preparation and replenishment of pasture. This has been followed by a long dry spell in the important planting months of June and July. Alarmed by the grave domestic food supply outlook the Eritrean Government has issued a drought alert on 24 July 2002 calling for urgent contingency measures by both local and international organizations to mitigate the impending humanitarian crisis.
The overall food supply situation is already tight reflecting the displacement of large numbers of people by the war with Ethiopia, the effects of earlier successive years of drought and continued repatriation of refugees from neighbouring Sudan. Over 1 million people are now estimated to be in need of urgent assistance. The slow response to the 2002 UN Consolidated Appeal (CAP) also remains a major concern to both the Government and humanitarian agencies.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 13 | - | 191 | 204 |
| Previous five years average imports | 218 | 5 | 79 | 302 |
| 2002 Domestic Availability | 92 | - | 213 | 305 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 10 | - | 210 | 220 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | 10 | - | 210 | 220 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 82 | - | 3 | 85 |
| 2002 Utilization | 182 | 15 | 248 | 445 |
| Food use | 172 | 15 | 229 | 416 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| Non-food use | 10 | - | 19 | 29 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 Import Requirement | 90 | 15 | 35 | 140 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 30 | 15 | 30 | 75 |
| Food aid needs | 60 | - | 5 | 65 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 10 | - | 11 | 21 |
| of which: delivered | 10 | - | 11 | 21 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 52 | 5 | 69 | 125 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 108 | |||
| 2002 Import requirement as % of average: | 46 |