| Area: | 25 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons |
| (February-May and September-November) | |
| Population: | 7.884 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 210 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railway inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, pulses, plantains, sorghum, maize |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: November-December |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 25 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Planting of the 1999 first season foodcrops is complete. Growing conditions are satisfactory following generally normal to above-normal rains in September and October. However, persistent insecurity in north-western prefectures continues to cause massive population displacements, disrupting agricultural activities. Reduced harvests are anticipated in these areas, hindering the recovery of agricultural production.
The output of the 1998 second season foodcrops, harvested in the middle of the year, was estimated to be substantially higher than the same season last year and around the pre-civil strife level of 1990. As a result, prices of food staples have declined over recent months.
The number of displaced persons in north-western prefectures has continued to increase. The food and nutritional situation of the displaced is reported to be serious. Food assistance is being provided to some 360 000 in Ruhengeri, Gisenyi and Gikongoro prefectures.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 10 | 9 | 276 | 295 |
| Normal Imports | 10 | 6 | 3 | 19 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | 7 | 7 | 213 | 227 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 7 | 10 | 208 | 225 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 7 | 7 | 208 | 222 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| 1998 Utilization | 32 | 24 | 369 | 425 |
| Food Use | 27 | 23 | 346 | 396 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| Non-food use | - | 1 | 23 | 24 |
| Possible stock build up | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 25 | 17 | 156 | 198 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 12 | 7 | 25 | 44 |
| Food aid needs | 13 | 10 | 131 | 154 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 34 | 10 | 141 | 185 |
| of which: Delivered | 12 | 5 | 130 | 147 |
| Donor-financed local purchases | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 3 | 3 | 44 | 50 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 76 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 1 042 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 2 200 |
