FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 CAPE VERDE 7

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CAPE VERDE

Area:
4 000 sq.km
Climate:
Semi-arid; rainfall increases with altitude; rainy season: July-December
Population:
439 500 (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 960 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:
Low-income food-deficit country; archipelago
Logistics:
Port capacity and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:
Maize, rice, pulses
Marketing year:
November/October; Lean season: n.a. since 90 percent of requirements covered by imports
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
57 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


Seasonably dry conditions prevail. An FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in October estimated 1999 cereal production at a record 25 700 tonnes which is about 5 times higher than in 1998 and the last five-year average.

Following this record crop, the overall food supply situation has improved in rural areas affected by several successive poor crops. Following regular cereal imports, markets are well supplied and prices are stable. However, the areas of Ribeira Grande and Paúl in Santo Antão island are reported as vulnerable. The bumper 1999 production will cover only about a quarter of consumption requirement, but available stocks and planned commercial imports or food aid for the year 2000 will be sufficient to cover the deficit. The cereal import requirement for the 1999/2000 marketing year is estimated at 70 000 tonnes of which 50 000 tonnes of food aid. About 37 000 tonnes of food aid have been received so far.


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


  Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total
Normal Production - - 5 5
Normal Imports 20 23 40 83
of which: Structural food aid 17 14 28 59
1999/2000 Domestic Availability 3 5 26 34
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - - 26 26
1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 26 26
Possible stock drawdown 3 5 - 8
1999/2000 Utilization 23 25 56 104
Food Use 22 24 47 93
of which: local purchase requirement - - - -
Non-food use 1 1 4 6
Exports or Re-exports - - - -
Possible stock build up - - 5 5
1999/2000 Import Requirement 20 20 30 70
Anticipated commercial imports 5 5 10 20
Food aid needs 15 15 20 50
Current Aid Position        
Food aid pledges 24 11 26 62
of which: Delivered 8 4 26 37
Donor-financed purchases - - - -
of which: for local use - - - -
for export - - - -
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 50 55 107 211
Indexes        
1999 production as % of normal:       514
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:       84
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:       85


FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

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