FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 2001 RWANDA 35

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RWANDA

Area:

25 000 sq.km

Climate:

Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons: February-May and September-November

Population:

8.34 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$230 (2000)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country

Logistics:

Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railway inadequate

Major foodcrops:

Roots, tubers, pulses, plantains, sorghum, maize

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: November-December

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

25 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


Heavy rains in September resulted in localized floods in the Gisenyi, Gitarama and Gikongoro Provinces, causing loss of life, housing and infrastructure damage, and crop losses. Worst affected are the districts of Kabagali and Mushubi where losses of banana and roots and tubers are high and soil erosion considerable. Overall however, abundant rains in the past two months favoured planting of the 2002 season A foodcrops and benefited crop establishment. Availability of seed of cereals and pulses - the main crop of the season - and cuttings of sweet potatoes was timely and their prices were stable. Crops are reported in good condition and early prospects for the harvest from January are favourable.

Food production in the 2001 B season was estimated at 2.7 million tonnes, reflecting higher plantings and favourable weather conditions. Although this is 10 percent less than in the same season last year, in cereal-equivalent the output is 9 percent higher. Import requirements in the second half of the year have decreased, compared to the same period last year, to 143 000 tonnes of cereal-equivalent, which is expected to be fully covered by commercial imports.

The overall food supply position is satisfactory following the increased aggregate 2001 food production. Prices of staple crops remain stable or are decreasing as a result of the good domestic and cross-border supply to markets. In particular, food supply in areas previously affected by a succession of droughts has improved.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2001/02 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Previous five years average production

5

8

172

185

Previous five years average imports

15

13

182

210

2001 Domestic Availability

6

8

222

236

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)

6

12

222

240

2000 Production (rice in milled terms)

6

8

222

236

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

2001 Utilization

21

18

372

411

Food use

21

17

351

389

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

2

2

Non-food use

-

1

21

22

Exports or re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

2001 Import Requirement

15

10

150

175

Anticipated commercial imports

15

10

90

115

Food aid needs

-

-

60

60

Current Aid Position
       
Food aid pledges

-

-

28

28

of which: delivered

-

-

25

25

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

2

2

of which: for local use

-

-

2

2

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)

3

2

42

47

Indexes
       
2000 Production as % of average:
     

130

2001 Import requirement as % of average:
     

83


FAO/GIEWS - December 2001

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