FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1998 -

MAURITIUS

Area:	2 000 sq.km
Climate:	No dry months, most rainfall in November-July; tropical cyclones
Population:	1.14 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 3 800 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Cereal consumption covered almost entirely by imports
Logistics:	Inadequate port handling capacity; road system good
Major foodcrops:	Vegetables
Marketing year:	January/December
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	48 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

The bulk of the cultivated area is normally devoted to sugar cane and most of the remainder to fruits and vegetables. As a consequence, the country is virtually dependent on imports to meet its cereal needs. Cereal import requirements estimated at 248 000, will continue to be met through commercial channels.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1998 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	-	2	2
Normal Imports	72	75	25	172
of which: Structural food aid	5	1	-	6
1998 Domestic Availability	-	-	3	3
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	3	3
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	3	3
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1998 Utilization	150	78	23	251
Food Use	104	78	2	184
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	6	-	20	26
Exports or Re-exports	40	-	-	40
Possible stock build up	-	-	1	1
1998 Import Requirement	150	78	20	248
Anticipated commercial imports	150	78	20	248
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)	91	68	2	161
Indexes
1997 production as % of normal:				150
1998 import requirement as % of normal:				144
1998 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-