| Area: | 623 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; one rainy season: March-November |
| Population: | 3.31 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 340 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: May-July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 21 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Rainfall started in early March over the south, moved towards the north during the second and third dekads, and remained abundant and widespread in April, May and June. Rice is being planted in the south, while planting of millet and sorghum is drawing to an end in the north. The main maize crop is being harvested.
A ceasefire between army mutineers and African peacekeepers has been signed. As a result, around one-quarter of the nearly 100,000 people displaced by the fighting in Bangui have returned to their homes. There are 27 400 assisted Sudanese refugees in the country. Approximately 5 000 Chadians also receive food assistance. Their nutritional status is reported to be adequate. In addition, more than 35 000 refugees from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrived in the Central African Republic in late May/early June. For the 1997 marketing year (January/December), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 39 000 tons, mainly wheat and rice.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
5 |
89 |
94 |
|
Normal Imports |
30 |
5 |
5 |
40 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
- |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
- |
6 |
99 |
105 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
9 |
99 |
108 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
6 |
99 |
105 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Utilization |
30 |
11 |
103 |
144 |
|
Food Use |
29 |
10 |
89 |
128 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
1 |
14 |
16 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
30 |
5 |
4 |
39 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
30 |
5 |
3 |
38 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
of which: Delivered |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
9 |
3 |
27 |
39 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
115 |
|||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
98 |
|||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
33 |