Area:
|
4 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Semi-arid; rainfall increases with altitude; rainy season: July-December
|
Population:
|
417 000 (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 960 (1995)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago
|
Logistics:
|
Port capacity and roads adequate
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, rice, pulses
|
Marketing year:
|
November/October; Lean season: n.a. since 90 percent of requirements covered by imports
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
57 percent
|
The 1998 maize production has been estimated at 3 400 tonnes, which is below the previous year's reduced harvest and well below average. Following successive poor harvests, some sections of the rural population may need assistance in food and/or seeds for the next season. However, the overall food supply situation remains satisfactory as the country imports the bulk of its consumption requirement. Substantial quantities have recently been imported or will arrive soon, providing stocks for several months of consumption. The cereal food aid requirements for 1998/99 amount to 95 000 tonnes. Pledges amount to 48 400 tonnes, of which 18 000 tonnes have been delivered so far
Wheat
|
Rice
|
Coarse grains
|
Total
| |
Normal Production
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
Normal Imports
|
20
|
20
|
45
|
85
|
of which: Structural food aid
|
15
|
15
|
25
|
55
|
1998/99 Domestic Availability
|
2
|
-
|
7
|
9
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
3
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
3
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
6
|
1998/99 Utilization
|
22
|
25
|
57
|
104
|
Food Use
|
21
|
24
|
57
|
102
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Non-food use
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
Exports or Re-exports
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Possible stock build up
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1998/99 Import Requirement
|
20
|
25
|
50
|
95
|
Anticipated commercial imports
|
5
|
10
|
25
|
40
|
Food aid needs
|
15
|
15
|
25
|
55
|
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
23
|
12
|
13
|
48
|
of which: Delivered
|
5
|
12
|
1
|
18
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
of which: for local use
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
for export
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)
|
49
|
56
|
134
|
239
|
Indexes
|
||||
1998 production as % of normal:
|
53
| |||
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:
|
112
| |||
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:
|
100
|