FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report - March 1998:

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SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE


Area: 96 000 sq.km
Climate: Tropical wet; rainfall increases with altitude and towards southern parts of the islands
Population: 138 000 (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 350 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago
Logistics: Ports and roads adequate
Major foodcrops: Bananas, breadfruit, cocoyam
Marketing year: January/December
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 36 percent


CURRENT SITUATION
The staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains. The country imports around 10 000 tons of wheat and rice annually. The cereal import requirement in 1997 is estimated at 11 000 tons, including some 2 000 tons as food aid.



CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1998 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)


Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

0

-

-

0

Normal Imports

4

5

2

11

of which: Structural food aid

1

1

1

3

1998 Domestic Availability

-

-

-

-

1997 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

-

-

-

1997 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

-

-

-

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1998 Utilization

4

5

2

11

Food Use

4

5

2

11

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

-

-

-

-

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1998 Import Requirement

4

5

2

11

Anticipated commercial imports

2

5

2

9

Food aid needs

2

-

-

2

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

1

-

-

1

of which: Delivered

-

-

-

-

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

-

-

of which: for local use

-

-

-

-

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)

29

36

15

80

Indexes





1997 production as % of normal:




-

1998 import requirement as % of normal:




100

1998 food aid requirement as % of normal:




67


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