| Area: | 28 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 1.11 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 250 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Port capacity being improved; roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: May-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 64 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Agricultural activities are hampered by on-going civil disturbances. Fighting, which started in Bissau on 7 June, intensified and spread to other towns in late June/early July. No information on crop prospects has been received from the country but insecurity is likely to impede normal agricultural activities at the critical planting period. Satellite imagery indicates that rains started in the east in mid-May, stopped in late May but resumed in early June, progressing over the entire country from mid-June.
Normally, in June, planting of coarse grains should commence in the east and the north and that of rice be undertaken in seedbeds. Transplanting should start in July/August after desalination of swamp rice fields following stronger rains. It is currently difficult to know how far areas planted will be reduced but 1998 production will certainly be reduced following the crisis.
The overall food supply situation has deteriorated following the military revolt which has displaced a large number of people in the country and suspended marketing activities to or from the capital.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 127 | 57 | 184 |
| Normal Imports | 7 | 70 | - | 77 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 4 | - | 5 |
| 1997/98 Domestic Availability | 1 | 85 | 62 | 148 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 128 | 62 | 190 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 85 | 62 | 147 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| 1997/98 Utilization | 5 | 157 | 74 | 236 |
| Food Use | 5 | 112 | 50 | 167 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | 15 | 22 | 37 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | 30 | - | 30 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| 1997/98 Import Requirement | 4 | 72 1/ | - | 76 1/ |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 3 | 70 | - | 73 |
| Food aid needs | 1 | 2 | - | 3 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| of which: Delivered | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 5 | 101 | 45 | 150 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 103 | |||
| 1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: | 99 | |||
| 1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 60 |
