Area:
|
582 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Eastern coast is tropical wet, the rest tropical wet-dry. Rains in October-March; tropical cyclones
|
Population:
|
14.38 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 250 (1997)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country
|
Logistics:
|
Dilapidated roads and lack of spare parts and tyres
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Rice, roots, tubers, maize, fruit
|
Marketing year:
|
April/March; Lean season: February/March
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
60 percent
|
Rainfall has been favourable so far for the 1998/99 crops. Abundant rains have been received since October, starting along the eastern coast and expanding north-eastward in November, gradually covering most crop growing areas. Thunderstorms in the Mozambique Channel, which developed into Tropical Storm Alda in mid-January, missed southern Madagascar but brought abundant rains to many areas, particularly the Southwest. This also provided welcome relief to many southern areas where planting had been delayed for lack of rains. Overall, crops are reported in good vegetative condition in most growing areas.
The overall food supply situation in the country in the 1998/99 marketing year remains relatively stable. In the drought-prone south, markets are supplied with rice from other parts of the country. Relief assistance continues to be provided to vulnerable population groups.
|
Wheat
|
Rice
|
Coarse grains
|
Total
| |
|
Normal Production
|
7
|
2 476
|
152
|
2 635
|
Normal Imports
|
48
|
53
|
10
|
111
|
of which: Structural food aid
|
13
|
11
|
10
|
34
|
|
1998/99 Domestic Availability
|
11
|
1 553
|
162
|
1 726
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
11
|
2 200
|
162
|
2 373
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
11
|
1 496
|
162
|
1 669
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
-
|
57
|
-
|
57
|
|
1998/99 Utilization
|
81
|
1 683
|
167
|
1 931
|
Food Use
|
80
|
1 679
|
131
|
1 890
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
Non-food use
|
1
|
4
|
32
|
37
|
Exports or Re-exports
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Possible stock build up
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
|
1998/99 Import Requirement
|
70
|
130
|
5
|
205
|
Anticipated commercial imports
|
60
|
110
|
5
|
175
|
Food aid needs
|
10
|
20
|
-
|
30
|
|
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
8
|
10
|
8
|
26
|
of which: Delivered
|
5
|
9
|
5
|
19
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
of which: for local use
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
for export
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)
|
6
|
117
|
9
|
132
|
Indexes
|
||||
1998 production as % of normal:
|
90
| |||
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:
|
185
| |||
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:
|
88
|
