FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 CAMEROON 6

CAMEROON

Area:

465 000 sq.km

Climate:

North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; length of rainy season declines from 11 months in south to 4 months in extreme north

Population:

13.86 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 650 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country

Logistics:

Ports and roads adequate; gateway to Chad

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit

Marketing year:

Jan./Dec.; Lean season: June-August

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

39 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Rains started in February in the south. They progressed northwards in March and became abundant and widespread in April and May, been well above average in mid-May. They decreased in June but remained widespread. The main maize, rainfed rice, millet and sorghum crops are growing under generally favourable conditions. However, infestations of army worms have been reported in the north and extreme north where they caused damage to recently planted maize, millet and sorghum crops.

Food supply difficulties are likely in northern areas affected by poor crops in 1998. A WFP Emergency Operation will provide 9 500 tonnes of food to 660 000 affected persons in northern parts.

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

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

-

80

1 106

1 186

Normal Imports

200

50

10

260

of which: Structural food aid

-

2

2

4

1999 Domestic Availability

0

61

1 170

1 232

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)

0

90

1 170

1 260

1998/99 Production (rice in milled terms)

0

61

1 170

1 232

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1999 Utilization

220

111

1 180

1 512

Food Use

206

100

933

1 239

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

4

11

238

252

Exports or Re-exports

10

-

10

20

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1999 Import Requirement

220

50

10

280

Anticipated commercial imports

220

48

10

278

Food aid needs

-

2

-

2

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges

3

-

-

3

of which: Delivered

3

-

-

3

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

-

-

of which: for local use

-

-

-

-

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

14

7

65

86

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal:

106

1999 import requirement as % of normal:

108

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:

50

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	465 000 sq.km
Climate:	North: tropical wet-dry, south: tropical wet; length of rainy season declines from 11 months in south to 4 months in extreme north
Population:	13.86 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 650 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:	Ports and roads adequate; gateway to Chad
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit
Marketing year:	Jan./Dec.; Lean season: June-August
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	39 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	80	1 106	1 186
Normal Imports	200	50	10	260
of which: Structural food aid	-	2	2	4
1999 Domestic Availability	0	61	1 170	1 232
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	0	90	1 170	1 260
1998/99 Production (rice in milled terms)	0	61	1 170	1 232
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999 Utilization	220	111	1 180	1 512
Food Use	206	100	933	1 239
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	4	11	238	252
Exports or Re-exports	10	-	10	20
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999 Import Requirement	220	50	10	280
Anticipated commercial imports	220	48	10	278
Food aid needs	-	2	-	2
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	3	-	-	3
of which: Delivered	3	-	-	3
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	14	7	65	86
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				106
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				108
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				50