| 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
Normal rains in October maintained favourable prospects for the 1998 main season cereal and pulses crops. Following abundant rains during the growing season, the 1998 cereal and pulse production is anticipated to recover from the reduced levels of the past years. The tight food supply is easing with the arrival of the new harvest on the market. However, in areas affected by the armed conflict with neighbouring Ethiopia, production is expected to be reduced due to population displacements. A UN Inter-Agency Appeal has been launched to provide food and non-food assistance to an estimated 109 000 affected people.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | - | - | - |
| Normal Imports | - | - | - | - |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | - | - |
| 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 | 4 | 273 | 429 |
| Food Use | 151 | 4 | 248 | 403 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 25 | 26 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 140 | 4 | 140 | 284 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 72 | - | 100 | 172 |
| Food aid needs | 68 | 4 | 40 | 112 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 73 | 3 | 22 | 98 |
| of which: Delivered | 68 | 3 | 18 | 89 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 52 | 1 | 86 | 139 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
