| Area: | 28 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 1.12 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 250 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Port capacity being improved; roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: May-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 64 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Abundant rains favoured widespread plantings in June. The first significant rains reached the east of the country in May. They progressed westwards in late May, became abundant in early June and remained widespread and substantial in mid and late June. Planting of cereal crops is underway in the east and the north. Planting of rice in seedbeds has also started. Following strong rains in June, land preparation has started earlier than last year in swamp areas. Transplanting is about to start and will continue in August following desalination of swamp rice fields.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are generally well supplied and prices remain mostly stable. In May, the CFA Franc replaced the peso following entrance of Guinea-Bissau into the UMOA (Union Monétaire Ouest Africaine) and the Franc zone. This will facilitate commercial exchanges with neighbouring Senegal and Mali which have the same currency. Cereal imports for domestic use and re-exports in 1996/97 are estimated at about 70 000 tons, mostly rice. The structural food aid requirement is estimated at 6 000 tons.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
128 |
56 |
184 |
|
Normal Imports |
8 |
60 |
- |
68 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
1 |
5 |
- |
6 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
- |
85 |
61 |
146 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
120 |
54 |
174 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
80 |
54 |
134 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
5 |
7 |
12 |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
10 |
145 |
61 |
216 |
|
Food Use |
10 |
111 |
51 |
172 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
- |
14 |
10 |
24 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
20 1/ |
- |
20 1/ |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
10 |
60 2/ |
- |
70 2/ |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
9 |
55 |
- |
64 |
|
Food aid needs |
1 |
5 |
- |
6 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
9 |
99 |
46 |
154 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
95 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
103 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
100 |