Area:
|
569 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
North-east is semi-arid to arid; mountainous central and south-western areas have two rainy seasons (March-May and November December).
|
Population:
|
31.10 million (1998 estimate), GNP per caput US$ 330 (1997)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; regular importer and occasional exporter of grain.
|
Logistics:
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Good port (Mombasa) and extensive rail and road network. Gateway to Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda
|
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers
|
Marketing year:
|
October/September
|
Lean season:
|
June-July
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
56 percent
|
The recently harvested "short rains" maize and beans crops have been poor. Late and insufficient rains resulted in reductions in plantings and negatively affected yields. Preliminary production estimates indicate an output of 100 000 tonnes, only one-quarter of the normal levels. Although the short rains maize accounts for only 15 percent of the national production, it is the main crop in Eastern and parts of Central Province. Despite an overall satisfactory food supply, severe food shortages are already being reported, particularly from the marginal lower parts of Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Maragua Thika, and Nyeri districts. The dry weather has also resulted in the deterioration of pastures and shortage of water supplies for livestock. Food aid is needed for the affected population.
The output of the 1998 main "long rains" cereal crop was significantly higher than in 1997, mainly reflecting abundant and well distributed rains in the main producing area of the Rift Valley. Maize, the main staple, has been estimated at an above average level of 2.34 million tonnes. With a reduced "short rains" crop of 100 000 tonnes, the aggregate 1998/99 maize production is projected at 2.44 million tonnes.
Reflecting the good "long rains" maize crop and large carryover stocks from last year, prices have declined sharply in recent months. In order to support prices the Government has announced the buying of 270 000 tonnes of maize for food aid distribution to the population affected by a poor "short rains" harvest and building up its Strategic Reserves.
|
Wheat
|
Rice
|
Coarse grains
|
Total
| |
|
Normal Production
|
241
|
49
|
2 587
|
2 877
|
Normal Imports
|
311
|
57
|
312
|
680
|
of which: Structural food aid
|
74
|
-
|
-
|
74
|
|
1998/99 Domestic Availability
|
465
|
152
|
3 159
|
3 776
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
315
|
65
|
2 695
|
3 075
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
315
|
42
|
2 695
|
3 052
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
150
|
110
|
464
|
724
|
|
1998/99 Utilization
|
765
|
272
|
3 529
|
4 566
|
Food Use
|
725
|
222
|
3 118
|
4 065
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
Non-food use
|
40
|
50
|
411
|
501
|
Exports or Re-exports
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Possible stock build up
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
1998/99 Import Requirement
|
300
|
120
|
370
|
790
|
Anticipated commercial imports
|
251
|
120
|
350
|
721
|
Food aid needs
|
49
|
-
|
20
|
69
|
|
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
49
|
-
|
12
|
60
|
of which: Delivered
|
22
|
-
|
10
|
32
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
of which: for local use
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
for export
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)
|
23
|
7
|
100
|
131
|
Indexes
|
||||
1998 production as % of normal:
|
107
| |||
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:
|
116
| |||
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:
|
93
|
