| Area: | 124 320 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland areas: tropical wet/dry with unreliable rains. Lowlands: semi-arid to arid |
| Population: | 2.899 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: n.a. |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate, gateway to northern Ethiopia |
| Major foodcrops: | Sorghum, teff, millet, maize, pulses |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: August-November |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 73 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Planting of the 1998 cereal crops is underway. Early prospects are uncertain following below average rains in June in the southeastern important growing areas.
The food supply situation is tight, as a result of the reduced cereal harvest of 1997. Food prices, which have increased since harvest time, continue its upward trend in the past months. In southern parts, it is estimated that over 50 000 people have been displaced by hostilities in the Afar region as a result of the conflict with bordering Ethiopia. This has created additional strain to the fragile food supply situation of the host communities. The food security of the displaced people gives cause of concern as they will not be able to cultivate in the coming season.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| Normal Imports | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | 12 | - | 133 | 145 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 12 | - | 118 | 130 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | 12 | - | 118 | 130 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| 1998 Utilization | 152 | - | 273 | 425 |
| Food Use | 151 | - | 248 | 399 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 25 | 26 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 140 | - | 140 | 280 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 100 | - | 100 | 200 |
| Food aid needs | 40 | - | 40 | 80 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 72 | 3 | - | 75 |
| of which: Delivered | 35 | - | - | 35 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 52 | - | 86 | 138 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
