| Area: | 96 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet; rainfall increases with altitude and towards southern parts of the islands |
| Population: | 138 000 (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 350 (1996) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Bananas, breadfruit, cocoyam |
| Marketing year: | January/December |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 36 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains. The country imports around 10 000 tonnes of wheat and rice annually. The cereal import requirement in 1997 is estimated at 11 000 tonnes, including some 2 000 tonnes as food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | - | - | - |
| Normal Imports | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | - | - | - | - |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | - | - |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Utilization | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| Food Use | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | - | - |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 2 | 5 | 2 | 9 |
| Food aid needs | 2 | - | - | 2 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 1 | 3 | - | 4 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 29 | 36 | 15 | 80 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | - | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 100 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 67 |
