| Area: | 111 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (Mar.-Jul. and Oct.) and one in north |
| Population: | 5.63 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 380 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports, roads, rail adequate; gateway to Niger |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, maize |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-June |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 37 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Following above-average and well-distributed rainfall during the growing season, crop prospects for 1998 are favourable. Flooding occurred in mid-August and September in the centre and the north of the country, which damaged infrastructure and reduced crop production in these areas.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December) is estimated at 205 000 tonnes (including re-exports), mostly wheat and rice. According to the cereal balance sheet, about 70 000 tonnes of maize can be exported to neighbouring countries.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 12 | 605 | 617 |
| Normal Imports | 50 | 150 | 8 | 208 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | - | 17 | 887 | 904 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 29 | 887 | 916 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 17 | 887 | 904 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Utilization | 55 | 167 | 887 | 1 109 |
| Food Use | 49 | 76 | 517 | 642 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | 6 | 255 | 262 |
| Exports or Re-exports | 5 | 85 | 75 | 165 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 40 | 40 |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 55 | 150 | - | 205 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 50 | 146 | - | 196 |
| Food aid needs | 5 | 4 | - | 9 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 2 | 7 | 3 | 12 |
| of which: Delivered | 2 | 7 | 3 | 12 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 9 | 14 | 92 | 114 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 148 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 99 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 56 |
