| Area: | 192 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Semi-arid in north, tropical wet-dry in south, with rains in June-October |
| Population: | 8.77 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 600 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal sahelian country |
| Logistics: | Port capacity adequate; gateway to Mali. |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet and sorghum, rice, maize, wheat |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: August-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 61 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The rainy season started quite early this year. First significant rains were registered in the south-east in early May. Rains progressed to the centre-east in late May and increased strongly over most parts of the country during the first dekad of June. Precipitation decreased somewhat in mid and late June but remained widespread and regular, except in the north-east which was mostly dry. Following these good early rains, land preparation and wet planting started earlier than usual in the south and the centre. Crops are emerging satisfactorily.
Caterpillars have been reported from 20 to 25 June in Kolda region but have been eliminated by strong rains of 25 June. Grasshopper and caterpillar attacks are also under treatment by the Comités de Lutte Villageois in Fatick region. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are better supplied in urban areas than in rural areas. Prices of cereals are generally lower than last year but are starting to increase in several areas with the arrival of the lean season. The country imports large quantities of rice to cover its consumption requirement. External assistance may be required for the mobilization of cereals from the south to northern deficit areas. For the 1996/97 marketing year (November/October), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 650 000 tons, mostly rice and wheat and the food aid requirement at 22 000 tons. So far 10 000 tons have been pledged.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
182 |
811 |
993 |
|
Normal Imports |
175 |
350 |
85 |
10 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
5 |
4 |
7 |
16 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
- |
172 |
869 |
1 041 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
174 |
844 |
1 018 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
122 |
844 |
966 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
50 |
25 |
75 |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
200 |
522 |
969 |
1 691 |
|
Food Use |
197 |
496 |
834 |
1 527 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
|
Non-food use |
3 |
26 |
135 |
164 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
200 |
350 |
100 |
650 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
195 |
340 |
93 |
628 |
|
Food aid needs |
5 |
10 |
7 |
22 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
2 |
7 |
1 |
10 |
|
of which: Delivered |
2 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
23 |
57 |
95 |
174 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
102 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
107 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
138 |