| Area: | 911 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Mostly tropical wet-dry, south-west tropical wet, extreme north semi-arid |
| Population: | 116 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 260 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports adequate, roads inadequate during rainy season |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, coarse grains, rice |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-May |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 43 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Shortages of fertilizers, improved seeds and pesticides were reported during the whole growing season. Nevertheless, following favourable growing conditions, global cereal production for 1997 is estimated at 22.2 million tonnes, which is 2.5 percent higher than last year. Production of roots and tubers is estimated at 58 million tonnes, which is slightly above average. Cash crops production is reported to have decreased, notably cocoa and rubber, as a result of agricultural policies in favour of food crops.
Food supply is still constrained by high levels of post-harvest losses and high distribution costs but is satisfactory following the marketing of the main crops. The cereal import requirement for 1998 is estimated at 1.3 million tonnes, including 1 million tonnes of wheat and 200 000 tonnes of rice.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
45 |
2 800 |
16 970 |
19 815 |
|
Normal Imports |
850 |
350 |
80 |
1 280 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1998 Domestic Availability |
36 |
1 980 |
18 870 |
20 886 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
36 |
3 300 |
18 870 |
22 206 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
36 |
1 980 |
18 870 |
20 886 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1998 Utilization |
1036 |
2 180 |
18 970 |
22 186 |
|
Food Use |
1005 |
1 930 |
14 581 |
17 516 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
31 |
250 |
4 049 |
4 330 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
200 |
200 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
140 |
140 |
|
1998 Import Requirement |
1 000 |
200 |
100 |
1 300 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
1 000 |
200 |
100 |
1 300 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
9 |
17 |
126 |
151 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
112 |
|||
|
1998 import requirement as % of normal: |
102 |
|||
|
1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |
