Area:
|
1 030 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Mostly a Saharian country; semi-arid fringe in extreme south with rains in June-September
|
Population:
|
2.57 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 450 (1997)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
|
Logistics:
|
Port capacity adequate, though storms during January-March sometimes cause difficulties
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Wheat, rice, millet and sorghum
|
Marketing year:
|
November/October; Lean season: July-September
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
54 percent
|
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Off-season and recession crops are developing satisfactorily and harvest prospects are generally favourable. The final cereal production estimates have been released. The aggregate 1998/99 cereal production is estimated at 189 700 tonnes, including 111 000 tonnes of rice and 66 900 tonnes of sorghum. This represents a 25 percent increase on the previous year and is 11 percent above average. In February, scattered Desert Locust adults were observed in the south-west. Similarly, adults are expected to be present and persist in a few areas of the north.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory but localised shortages are likely following reduced crops in some areas. The cereal import requirement (excluding re-exports) for 1998/99 (November/October) is estimated at 305 000 tonnes and the food aid requirement at 35 000 tonnes.
Wheat
|
Rice
|
Coarse grains
|
Total
| |
Normal Production
|
-
|
64
|
107
|
171
|
Normal Imports
|
180
|
80
|
15
|
275
|
of which: Structural food aid
|
18
|
7
|
5
|
30
|
1998/99 Domestic Availability
|
20
|
74
|
79
|
173
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
-
|
111
|
79
|
190
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
-
|
74
|
79
|
153
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
20
|
-
|
-
|
20
|
1998/99 Utilization
|
220
|
164
|
109
|
493
|
Food Use
|
180
|
141
|
95
|
416
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
Non-food use
|
25
|
13
|
13
|
51
|
Exports or Re-exports
|
15
|
5
|
1
|
21
|
Possible stock build up
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
1998/99 Import Requirement
|
2001/
|
90
|
30
|
320
|
Anticipated commercial imports
|
185
|
80
|
20
|
285
|
Food aid needs
|
15
|
10
|
10
|
35
|
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
15
|
6
|
2
|
23
|
of which: Delivered
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
of which: for local use
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
for export
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)
|
70
|
55
|
37
|
162
|
Indexes
|
||||
1998 production as % of normal:
|
111
| |||
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:
|
116
| |||
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:
|
117
|