| Area: | 318 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons (March-July and September-December) in south and one in north |
| Population: | 14.76 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 660 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads adequate; gateway to Burkina Faso and Mali |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, fruit, rice, maize |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April to July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 40 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Rains started in the south but remained limited in early March. They became very abundant during the third dekad of March over the whole country and remained widespread and abundant in April. In May, rainfall decreased during the first and second dekads and resumed during the last dekad. Precipitation remained abundant in early and mid June and decreased significantly during the last dekad. As of the end of June, rainfall has been normal to above normal. The main maize crop is maturing satisfactorily while the planting of millet, sorghum and rice is drawing to its end. Reflecting good climatic conditions in 1996, the output of cereals in 1996 is officially estimated at an above-average 1 787 000 tons.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory and markets are well supplied. About 305 000 Liberian refugees are present in western departments. Their nutritional status is reported to be adequate. WFP, NGOs and donors estimated the caseload of Liberian refugees to be assisted from January 1997 at 175 000 people. The cereal import requirement for 1997 (January/December), is estimated at 505 000 tons mostly wheat and rice.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
950 |
700 |
1 650 |
|
Normal Imports |
220 |
280 |
20 |
520 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
5 |
594 |
648 |
1 247 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
1 139 |
648 |
1 787 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
584 |
648 |
1 232 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
5 |
10 |
- |
15 |
|
1997 Utilization |
255 |
844 |
653 |
1 752 |
|
Food Use |
250 |
734 |
518 |
1 502 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
5 |
110 |
125 |
240 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
250 |
250 |
5 |
505 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
250 |
210 |
5 |
465 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
40 |
- |
40 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
6 |
18 |
5 |
29 |
|
of which: Delivered |
6 |
13 |
4 |
23 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
17 |
50 |
35 |
102 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
108 |
|||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
97 |
|||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |