Area: |
886 000 sq.km |
Climate: |
Tropical wet-dry climate with two rainy
seasons in north (November-December and March-May) and one in south (November-April) |
Population: |
32.30 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P.
per caput: US$240 (1999) |
Specific characteristics of the
country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; cereal
surplus production in south and south-west; cereal deficit in central and north-west.
Distribution difficulties |
Logistics: |
Serious shortage of rolling stock, fuel
and spare parts |
Major foodcrops: |
Maize, roots, tubers, sorghum, pulses,
plantains, rice |
Marketing year: |
June/May; Lean season: February-April |
Share of cereals in total calorie
intake: |
60 percent |
Planting of the 2001 main season cereal crops in the unimodal central and southern areas, as well as that of 2000/01 short season ("Vuli" ) crops in bi-modal northern areas, is underway. Generally below-normal rains in October have caused moisture stress, particularly for earlier planted crops.
The 2000 cereal crop, mainly maize, is estimated at about 3.5 million tonnes, nearly 20 percent below the previous five years average. The decline is attributed to drought conditions in several parts of the country. As a result, the cereal import requirement is currently forecast at 690 000 tonnes. However, the overall food supply situation has improved due to large maize imports which have led to marked declines in food prices. Despite reduced pasture, livestock conditions are reported to be good.
Food assistance is required for about 800 000 people identified as food insecure, mainly in the regions of Dodoma, Mara, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga and southern Mwanza, all of which have now suffered their third consecutive poor harvest.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 97 | 722 | 3 444 | 4 263 |
| Previous five years average imports | 86 | 74 | 198 | 358 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 150 | 455 | 2 863 | 3 468 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 90 | 700 | 2 673 | 3 463 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | 90 | 455 | 2 673 | 3 218 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 60 | - | 190 | 250 |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 270 | 575 | 3 313 | 4 158 |
| Food Use | 190 | 475 | 3 024 | 3 689 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 50 | 100 | 289 | 439 |
| Exports or Re-exports | 30 | - | - | 30 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 120 | 120 | 450 | 690 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 60 | 100 | 380 | 540 |
| Food aid needs | 60 | 20 | 70 | 150 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 6 | 14 | 91 | 112 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 81 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 193 |
