FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 MAURITIUS 30

MAURITIUS

Area:

1 850 sq.km

Climate:

No dry months, most rainfall in November-July; tropical cyclones

Population:

1.15 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 800 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Cereal consumption covered almost entirely by imports

Logistics:

Inadequate port handling capacity; road system good

Major foodcrops:

Vegetables

Marketing year:

January/December

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

48 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

The bulk of the cultivated area is normally devoted to sugar cane and most of the remainder to fruits and vegetables. As a consequence, the country is virtually dependent on imports to meet its cereal needs. Cereal import requirements estimated at 248 000 tonnes, will continue to be met through commercial channels.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - - 2 2

Normal Imports 72 75 25 172

of which: Structural food aid 5 1 - 6

1999 Domestic Availability - 10 2 12

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) - - 2 2

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 2 2

Possible stock drawdown - 10 - 10

1999 Utilization 150 88 22 260

Food Use 104 88 2 194

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 6 - 20 26

Exports or Re-exports 40 - - 40

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999 Import Requirement 150 78 20 248

Anticipated commercial imports 150 78 20 248

Food aid needs - - - -

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - - -

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 90 76 2 168

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal: 100

1999 import requirement as % of normal: 144

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: -

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	1 850 sq.km
Climate:	No dry months, most rainfall in November-July; tropical cyclones
Population:	1.15 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 800 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Cereal consumption covered almost entirely by imports
Logistics:	Inadequate port handling capacity; road system good
Major foodcrops:	Vegetables
Marketing year:	January/December
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	48 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	-	2	2
Normal Imports	72	75	25	172
of which: Structural food aid	5	1	-	6
1999 Domestic Availability	-	10	2	12
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	2	2
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	2	2
Possible stock drawdown	-	10	-	10
1999 Utilization	150	88	22	260
Food Use	104	88	2	194
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	6	-	20	26
Exports or Re-exports	40	-	-	40
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999 Import Requirement	150	78	20	248
Anticipated commercial imports	150	78	20	248
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	90	76	2	168
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				100
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				144
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-