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

15.1 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 610 (1998)

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

Planting of the first maize crop started in the south. Reflecting favourable growing conditions, 1999 cereal production was above average. Heavy rains led to water release from the Lagdo dam and flooding along the Benue river in the north, forcing the displacement of about 1 000 persons.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory except in the flooded areas. Cereal imports for domestic use and re-export during the 2000 marketing year are estimated at 290 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice. About 1 000 Congolese refugees arrived in northern Cameroon in December 1999.

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

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - 80 1 101 1 181

Normal Imports 180 100 15 295

of which: Structural food aid - 2 1 3

2000 Domestic Availability 0 78 1 270 1 348

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) 0 100 1 250 1 350

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) 0 68 1 250 1 318

Possible stock drawdown - 10 20 30

2000 Utilization 180 178 1 280 1 638

Food Use 166 166 1 005 1 337

of which: local purchase requirement - - 4 4

Non-food use 4 12 265 281

Exports or Re-exports 10 - 10 20

Possible stock build up - - - -

2000 Import Requirement 180 100 10 290¹^/

Anticipated commercial imports 180 98 10 288

Food aid needs - 2 - 2

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - 3 - 3

of which: Delivered - 3 - 3

Donor-financed purchases - - 4 4

of which: for local use - - 4 4

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 11 11 67 89

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 114

2000 import requirement as % of normal: 98

2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: 67

1/ Includes 10 000 tonnes of re-exports of wheat.

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

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:	15.1 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 610 (1998)
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	1 101	1 181
Normal Imports	180	100	15	295
of which: Structural food aid	-	2	1	3
2000 Domestic Availability	0	78	1 270	1 348
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	0	100	1 250	1 350
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	0	68	1 250	1 318
Possible stock drawdown	-	10	20	30
2000 Utilization	180	178	1 280	1 638
Food Use	166	166	1 005	1 337
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	4	4
Non-food use	4	12	265	281
Exports or Re-exports	10	-	10	20
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2000 Import Requirement	180	100	10	290¹^/
Anticipated commercial imports	180	98	10	288
Food aid needs	-	2	-	2
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	3	-	3
of which: Delivered	-	3	-	3
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	4	4
of which: for local use	-	-	4	4
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	11	11	67	89
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				114
2000 import requirement as % of normal:				98
2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				67