Area: |
2.4 million sq.km |
Climate: |
From north to south, arid, semi-arid
and tropical wet-dry. Rainy season: May-October |
Population: |
30.29 million (1999 estimate); GNP per
caput: US$330 (1999) |
Specific characteristics of the
country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; cereal
production mainly in eastern and central areas. |
Logistics: |
Roads, railway and river transport
inadequate |
Major foodcrops: |
Sorghum, millet, wheat, roots and
tubers, oils |
Marketing year: |
November/October; Lean season:
September-October |
Share of cereals in total calorie
intake: |
51 percent |
Serious food shortages have emerged in many parts of the country due to prolonged dry spells. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission, which has just completed its field work, found that late and erratic rains have severely affected the 2000 crop production. Despite the anticipated good harvest in the irrigated sector, mainly due to an extensive rehabilitation, the rainfed sector, which accounts for the bulk of cereal production, has been seriously affected. Serious food shortages have already emerged in a number of districts, with food prices more than double the average prices for the time of the year.
An earlier FAO/WFP Mission to southern Sudan estimated a deficit in cereal production, particularly in North Bahr el Ghazal, Bahr el Jebel, East Equatoria, Jonglei and Juba. However, some surplus production was noted in West Equatoria, Lakes and West Bahr el Ghazal.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 418 | 3 | 3 871 | 4 292 |
| Previous five years average imports | 694 | 28 | 64 | 786 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 214 | 3 | 4 655 | 4 872 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 214 | 5 | 4 655 | 4 874 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | 214 | 3 | 4 655 | 4 872 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 1 164 | 28 | 4 745 | 5 937 |
| Food Use | 1 114 | 26 | 3 599 | 4 739 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 100 | 100 |
| Non-food use | 50 | 1 | 675 | 726 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 100 | 100 |
| Possible stock build up | - | 1 | 371 | 372 |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 950 | 25 | 90 | 1 065 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 900 | 25 | - | 925 |
| Food aid needs | 50 | - | 90 | 140 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | 2 | 24 | 26 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 35 | 1 | 113 | 148 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 114 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 135 |
