| Area: | 2 345 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet climate in the central basin, tropical wet-dry in the extreme north and south |
| Population: | 45.734 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US $ 120 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; tropical country with access to sea |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: October (north), November-December (south) |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 15 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
In the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu prospects for the B-season crop now being harvested are favourable and will partly compensate for the reduced A-season harvest. However, fighting in early August is likely to hamper marketing activities and cause a further deterioration in the already tight food supply situation. Civil strife in both provinces has already resulted in considerable population displacements and impeded normal agricultural activities. It is estimated that about 80 percent of the rural population in these provinces have been forced to flee their homes at least once during the last twelve months. In addition, an influx of Burundian refugees has been reported near Uvira.
In addition, the worst flooding of the past 35 years, caused by abnormally heavy rains in early 1998, has affected large areas of the DRC, causing extensive damage to housing, infrastructure, crops and food stocks, and hampering the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Insecurity and flooding have substantially reduced crop production in 1997/98, resulting in a sharp increase in food prices and impeded the delivery of humanitarian assistance. In addition, safe drinking water is scarce and outbreaks of cholera are reported in many of the villages and towns throughout the flood affected regions.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 20 | 440 | 1 250 | 1 710 |
| Normal Imports | 100 | 40 | 30 | 170 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 5 | - | 20 | 25 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | 18 | 313 | 1 288 | 1 619 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 18 | 470 | 1 288 | 1 776 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | 18 | 313 | 1 288 | 1 619 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Utilization | 163 | 363 | 1 348 | 1 874 |
| Food Use | 156 | 307 | 1 060 | 1 523 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| Non-food use | 7 | 56 | 288 | 351 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 145 | 50 | 60 | 255 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 140 | 50 | 40 | 230 |
| Food aid needs | 5 | - | 20 | 25 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 4 | - | 1 | 5 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 3 | 7 | 23 | 33 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 104 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 150 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 100 |
