| Area: | 258 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet climate; most rainfall: October-May |
| Population: | 1.397 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 4 230 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: September-November |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 19 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The staple foodcrops are cassava and plantains, the production of which is estimated at about 330 000 tonnes. The country imports the bulk of its cereal consumption requirement. The wheat and rice requirement in 1998 is estimated at 82 000 tonnes. No food aid is necessary.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| Normal Imports | 40 | 35 | 3 | 78 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 0 | - | - | 0 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | - | 5 | 25 | 30 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| 1998 Utilization | 45 | 40 | 27 | 112 |
| Food Use | 44 | 40 | 19 | 103 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 8 | 9 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 45 | 35 | 2 | 82 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 45 | 35 | 2 | 82 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | - | - |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 32 | 29 | 14 | 74 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 100 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 105 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |
