| Area: | 342 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet climate in north, tropical wet-dry in south with main rainy season in October-April |
| Population: | 2.69 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 680 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; tropical coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports adequate; roads inadequate during rainy season |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, fruit |
| Marketing year: | July/June; Lean season: September-November |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 19 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Rainfall was abundant and widespread in March and April over the whole country, started to decrease in mid May and stopped in late May in the south. Precipitation is widespread in the north. The harvest of the second maize crop is underway. From July 1, the government has increased the export taxes on cocoa, cotton, sugar and rubber from 13.5 to 15 %.
Civil disturbances have erupted in early June in Brazzaville, where they may affect the food supply situation. The city is divided in two. Almost 5 000 foreigners, who were providing income to a many persons, have been evacuated from Brazzaville. Humanitarian agencies have temporarily suspended their assistance. An FAO assessment mission is planned as soon as the security situation permits it. Before the fighting, the overall food supply situation was satisfactory. Staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains, production of which is about 650 000 tons. Markets are well supplied with these crops. Cereal production is estimated at some 27 000 tons, mainly maize. For the 1997/98 marketing year (July/June), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 113 000 tons, mostly wheat, including a structural food aid requirement of 2 000 tons. About 20 000 Rwandans refugees arrived in Congo, fleeing the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were mainly located in Lukolela, a town north-east of Brazzaville, where they were receiving food assistance, but fighting in Brazzaville has cut off supply lines and impeded relief operations. Around 3,500 Rwandan refugees are moving towards Gabon, after fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo and are being assisted temporarily at Bilolo in Congo.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
1 |
22 |
23 |
|
Normal Imports |
80 |
30 |
2 |
112 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
1 |
6 |
- |
7 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
10 |
1 |
25 |
36 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
1 |
25 |
26 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
1 |
25 |
26 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
10 |
- |
- |
10 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
90 |
31 |
28 |
149 |
|
Food Use |
88 |
31 |
24 |
143 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
2 |
- |
4 |
6 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
80 |
30 |
3 |
113 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
80 |
28 |
3 |
111 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
2 |
- |
2 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
8 |
- |
8 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
33 |
11 |
9 |
53 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
113 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
100 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
29 |