FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report Part III, No.2, August 2001 CONGO, REPUBLIC OF 12

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CONGO, REPUBLIC OF

Area:
342 000 sq.km
Climate:
Tropical wet climate in north, tropical wet-dry in south with main rainy season in October-April
Population:
3.02 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$670 (1999)
Specific characteristics of the country:
Low-income food-deficit country; tropical coastal country
Logistics:
Ports adequate; roads inadequate during rainy season
Major foodcrops:
Roots and tubers, fruit
Marketing year:
January/December; Lean season: September-November
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
19 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

After below-average rains in January and February, precipitation increased in early March and became particularly abundant from mid-March to mid-April. However, it decreased in May but remained generally widespread, except in the south.

The overall food supply situation has improved. All areas are now accessible to humanitarian agencies. The bulk of the estimated 810 000 people displaced by the civil war have returned to their homes. There are about 100 000 refugees from the Equateur province of DRC in northern areas, notably in Betou, near the border with the Central African Republic. There are also 7 000 Rwandan/Burundian refugees and 18 000 Angolan refugees. WFP launched a new Emergency Operation to assist 50 000 refugees from the DRC over a period of 6 months. It is also providing food to some 120 000 persons in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire and other main towns.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2001 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

 
Wheat
Rice
Coarse grains
Total
Previous five years average production
-
1
3
4
Previous five years average imports
99
33
5
137
2001 Domestic Availability
10
2
4
16
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)
-
1
4
5
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)
-
-
4
4
Possible stock drawdown
10
2
-
12
2001 Utilization
110
32
9
151
Food use
107
30
7
144
of which: local purchase requirement
-
-
-
-
Non-food use
3
2
2
7
Exports or re-exports
-
-
-
-
Possible stock build up
-
-
-
-
2001 Import Requirement
100
30
5
135
Anticipated commercial imports
100
25
5
130
Food aid needs
-
5
-
5
Current Aid Position
       
Food aid pledges
10
3
1
14
of which: delivered
10
3
1
14
Donor-financed purchases
-
-
-
-
of which: for local use
-
-
-
-
for export
-
-
-
-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)
35
10
2
48
Indexes
       
2000 Production as % of average:
     
125
2001 Import requirement as % of average:
     
99

FAO/GIEWS - August 2001

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