| Area: | 569 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | North-east is semi-arid to arid; mountainous central and south-western areas have two rainy seasons (March-May and November December). |
| Population: | 31.10 million (1998 estimate), GNP per caput U.S.$ 330 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; regular importer and occasional exporter of grain. |
| Logistics: | Good port (Mombasa) and extensive rail and road network. Gateway to Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | October/September |
| Lean season: | June-July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 56 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The 1998 main "long rains" cereal crops are being harvested in the main growing areas of the Rift Valley. Prospects remain favourable as a result of normal to above-normal rains, particularly in western parts. Production of the main staple, maize, is forecast to increase substantially over the reduced level of last year's same season to 2.3 million tonnes, while wheat output is anticipated at around or higher than the normal 1997 crop.
Prices of cereals and beans continued to decrease in October, reflecting the arrival of the new harvest onto the markets, as well as high levels of imports during the year.
Pasture and animal conditions in eastern and north-eastern areas have improved with the satisfactory rainy season. Food aid distributions by WFP in these areas, previously affected by severe floods, were terminated in October.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 241 | 49 | 2 587 | 2 877 |
| Normal Imports | 311 | 57 | 312 | 680 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 74 | - | - | 74 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 465 | 152 | 3 041 | 3 658 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 315 | 65 | 3 041 | 3 421 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 315 | 42 | 3 041 | 3 398 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 150 | 110 | - | 260 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 795 | 272 | 3 591 | 4 658 |
| Food Use | 755 | 222 | 3 180 | 4 157 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 40 | 50 | 411 | 501 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 330 | 120 | 550 | 1 000 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 310 | 120 | 500 | 930 |
| Food aid needs | 20 | - | 50 | 70 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 26 | - | 11 | 37 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 24 | 7 | 102 | 134 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 119 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 147 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 95 |
