| Area: | 623 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; one rainy season: March-November |
| Population: | 3.49 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 320 (1997) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers, tree nuts, coarse grain, fruits |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: May-July |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 21 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Reflecting generally abundant and widespread rains, a good cereal crop is anticipated. The food supply situation is satisfactory.
For the 1998 marketing year (January/December), the cereal import requirement is estimated at about 40 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | - | 6 | 95 | 101 |
| Normal Imports | 30 | 4 | 4 | 38 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| 1998 Domestic Availability | - | 11 | 121 | 132 |
| 1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 17 | 121 | 138 |
| 1997 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 11 | 121 | 132 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1998 Utilization | 30 | 16 | 125 | 171 |
| Food Use | 29 | 14 | 102 | 145 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | 2 | 18 | 21 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| 1998 Import Requirement | 30 | 5 | 4 | 39 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 30 | 5 | 3 | 38 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 2 | - | - | 2 |
| of which: Delivered | 2 | - | - | 2 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 8 | 4 | 29 | 42 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1997 production as % of normal: | 137 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 103 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 100 |
