FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 GUINEA-BISSAU 22

GUINEA-BISSAU

Area:

28 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October

Population:

1.16 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 240 (1997)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important

Major foodcrops:

Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: May-August

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

64 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission estimated 1999 cereal production at 138 700 tonnes (with rice in paddy equivalent), which is 6 percent above 1998, but below the 1997/98 pre-crisis level and below average. Production of coarse grains increased, while that of rice decreased due to flooding and pest attacks.

Following recent presidential elections, the overall food supply situation has improved. However, some population groups are still facing food supply difficulties, notably in urban areas and in Catio, Fulakunda and Bambadinca areas.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - 107 59 166

Normal Imports 6 70 2 78

of which: Structural food aid 2 3 2 7

1999/2000 Domestic Availability - 54 58 112

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 80 58 139

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - 54 58 112

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

1999/2000 Utilization 7 141 73 221

Food Use 7 121 53 181

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - 10 19 28

Exports or Re-exports - 5 - 5

Possible stock build up - 5 2 7

1999/2000 Import Requirement 7 87 5 99

Anticipated commercial imports 5 80 - 85

Food aid needs 2 7 5 14

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 10 3 7 20

of which: Delivered - 3 7 10

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 6 105 46 156

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 84

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 127

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: 200

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

Area:	28 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October
Population:	1.16 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 240 (1997)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate, particularly during the rainy season; river transport important
Major foodcrops:	Rice, coarse grains, oils and fats, roots and tubers
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: May-August
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	64 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	107	59	166
Normal Imports	6	70	2	78
of which: Structural food aid	2	3	2	7
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	-	54	58	112
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	80	58	139
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	54	58	112
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Utilization	7	141	73	221
Food Use	7	121	53	181
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	10	19	28
Exports or Re-exports	-	5	-	5
Possible stock build up	-	5	2	7
1999/2000 Import Requirement	7	87	5	99
Anticipated commercial imports	5	80	-	85
Food aid needs	2	7	5	14
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	10	3	7	20
of which: Delivered	-	3	7	10
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	6	105	46	156
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				84
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				127
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				200