| Area: | 10 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry climate; one rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 1.312 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 320 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal sahelian country |
| Logistics: | Port capacity and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, millet and sorghum |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: July-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 63 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
A joint CILSS/FAO Crop Assessment Mission which visited the country from 12-16 October estimated the 1998 total cereal production at 120 980 tonnes. This is 6 percent higher than last year and 16 percent above the average of the last five years. Coarse grains increased by 6 percent to 92 727 tonnes, whilst the output of paddy (upland and swamp) increased by about 11 percent.
The overall food supply situation is anticipated to be satisfactory in light of relatively good harvest. Cereal prices started to decline at the onset of the harvest. However, the food supply situation may become tight during the lean season in the Lower River Division, particularly in the Nuimis districts, due to a decline in early millet production.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 21 | 82 | 103 |
| Normal Imports | 20 | 90 | 4 | 114 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 2 | 17 | 95 | 114 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 26 | 95 | 121 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 17 | 95 | 112 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 2 | - | - | 2 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 28 | 112 | 98 | 238 |
| Food Use | 21 | 93 | 81 | 195 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 3 | 16 | 20 |
| Exports or Re-exports | 6 | 16 | - | 22 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 26 | 95 | 3 | 124 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 25 | 90 | - | 115 |
| Food aid needs | 1 | 5 | 3 | 9 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 16 | 70 | 61 | 146 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 117 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 109 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 129 |
