| Area: | 25 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons |
| (February-May and September-November) | |
| Population: | 7.884 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 180 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railway inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, pulses, plantains, sorghum, maize |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: November-December |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 25 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Harvesting of the 1998-second season foodcrops is almost completed. Preliminary results of an FAO/WFP/Government local assessment indicate a substantially improved harvest this season. The area planted increased 9 percent from the previous year’s level and good rains in May and June benefited crops. The output is estimated higher than in 1997 second season and around the pre-civil strife average level of 1990. As a result, the food deficit this season is estimated at 63 000 tonnes of cereal equivalent, well below that of the first half of the year. The tight food situation, following the insufficient food production of last season, has eased with the new harvest, as well as increased food aid distribution in the past months. Food prices have started to decline since June.
However, in the northwestern prefectures of Gitarama, Ruhengeri and Giseny, affected by persisting insecurity and violent incidents in recent months, the food situation remain tight for thousands of displaced people who were unable to cultivate this season. Cases of malnutrition are reported from some camps. Food aid assistance is required for this population but increasing insecurity prevents access to several locations. There is also an urgent need of agricultural input to allow displaced people to relaunch production activities. Despite the overall improved harvest, the food situation is also expected to remain difficult in Gikongoro prefecture, where production was reduced, and for an increased number of populations made vulnerable by the past civil war.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 10 | 9 | 276 | 295 |
| Normal Imports | 10 | 6 | 3 | 19 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | 7 | 7 | 213 | 227 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 7 | 10 | 208 | 225 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 7 | 7 | 208 | 222 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| 1998 Utilization | 32 | 24 | 341 | 397 |
| Food Use | 27 | 23 | 318 | 368 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Non-food use | - | 1 | 23 | 24 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 25 | 17 | 128 | 170 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 12 | 7 | 21 | 40 |
| Food aid needs | 13 | 10 | 107 | 130 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 15 | 10 | 47 | 72 |
| of which: Delivered | 8 | 3 | 11 | 22 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 3 | 3 | 40 | 47 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 76 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 895 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 1857 |
