| Area: | 274 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry in south, semi-arid in north; one rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 11.09 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 230 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; sahelian land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season; adequate rail link to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet, sorghum, pulses, maize |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: July-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 73 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Crops are generally developing satisfactorily despite decreasing rains in late June. Following first sporadic rains in late March, rains started in the south-east in early April. They progressed northwards over the entire country in April and May and remained generally widespread and above normal up to mid-June. Precipitation decreased during the third dekad of June notably in the west and the east but they resumed in early July and became above normal in mid-July, notably over the eastern half of the country. Seeds have been distributed to farmers during June in deficit provinces. Crops are generally developing satisfactorily.
Pastures have started to regenerate, except in the extreme north. Worms and grasshoppers infestations have been reported in the north, notably on sorghum crops. Treatments have been undertaken.
Reflecting a below-average harvest in 1997, the overall food supply situation is tight in the areas which gathered reduced crops. Following a downward revision of 1997/98 production figures, the Government has revised the emergency food aid to 76 400 tonnes to cover consumption requirements of 800 000 people for seven months. Substantial local purchases have been financed by various donors.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 75 | 2 400 | 2 475 |
| Normal Imports | 45 | 75 | 30 | 150 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 5 | 4 | 20 | 29 |
| 1997/98 Domestic Availability | - | 59 | 2 034 | 2 093 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 90 | 1 924 | 2 014 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 59 | 1 924 | 1 983 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 110 | 110 |
| 1997/98 Utilization | 66 | 156 | 2 144 | 2 366 |
| Food Use | 57 | 145 | 1 834 | 2 036 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 26 | 26 |
| Non-food use | 2 | 11 | 295 | 308 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| Possible stock build up | 7 | - | - | 7 |
| 1997/98 Import Requirement | 66 | 97 | 110 | 273 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 47 | 91 | 55 | 193 |
| Food aid needs | 19 | 6 | 55 | 80 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 7 | 10 | - | 17 |
| of which: Delivered | 7 | 5 | - | 12 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 26 | 26 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 26 | 26 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 5 | 13 | 169 | 188 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 81 | |||
| 1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: | 182 | |||
| 1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 276 |
