FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 UGANDA 46

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UGANDA

Area:
200 000 sq.km
Climate:
North-east is semi-arid, rest of the country is tropical wet-dry; main rainy period is March-October
Population:
21.69 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 320 (1998)
Specific characteristics of the country:
Low-income food-deficit country
Logistics:
Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railways inadequate
Major foodcrops:
Roots, tubers, plantains, pulses, maize, millet, sorghum
Marketing year:
January/December; Lean season: April-May
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
35 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


Harvesting of the 1999/2000 second season cereal crops is completed. The output is anticipated to be average to above average reflecting well distributed rains during the season. However, in Gulu and Kitgum Districts, despite reported large increases in area cultivated due to earlier improved security and favourable rainfall, the escalation of conflict since December 1999 has displaced many farmers and hindered the timely harvesting of crops.

The output of the main season crop, harvested from late last summer, was below average due to a prolonged drought experienced in various parts of the country. Cereal production in 1999 is estimated to be about 9 percent below average at 1.7 million tonnes.

The food supply situation is adequate in most parts of the country. Prices of maize and beans in January and February were below the last three years average as supplies from last season's harvest continue to arrive in the markets. Nevertheless, the food supply situation has deteriorated in Kotido and Morito districts, with nearly 215 000 people needing urgent food assistance, mainly due to last season's poor harvest and loss of cattle due to raids. Also, the food supply situation in Gulu and Kitgum gives cause for serious concern due to renewed civil conflict. Furthermore, food assistance continues to be needed for nearly 112 000 people in Bundibugyo District displaced by civil unrest.


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


  Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total
Normal Production 9 78 1 810 1 897
Normal Imports 18 5 10 33
of which: Structural food aid 15 - 10 25
2000 Domestic Availability 9 51 1 630 1 690
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) 9 77 1 630 1 716
2000 Production (rice in milled terms) 9 51 1 630 1 690
Possible stock drawdown - - - -
2000 Utilization 79 57 1 710 1 846
Food Use 78 57 1 285 1 420
of which: local purchase requirement - - - -
Non-food use 1 - 325 326
Exports or Re-exports - - 100 100
Possible stock build up - - - -
2000 Import Requirement 70 6 80 156
Anticipated commercial imports 61 4 - 65
Food aid needs 9 2 80 91
Current Aid Position        
Food aid pledges 10 - 2 12
of which: Delivered 2 - 2 4
Donor-financed purchases - - - -
of which: for local use - - - -
for export - - - -
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 4 3 57 63
Indexes        
2000 production as % of normal:       90
2000 import requirement as % of normal:       427
2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:       268


FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

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