FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 2001 BURKINA FASO 4

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BURKINA FASO

Area:

274 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry in south, semi-arid in north; rainy season: May-October

Population:

11.74 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$230 (2000)

Specific characteristics of the country:

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

Logistics:

Roads inadequate during rainy season; adequate rail link to Abidjan (C�te d'Ivoire)

Major foodcrops:

Millet, sorghum, pulses, maize

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: July-September

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

73 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


The rainy season is over. Rains ceased somewhat early in late September in the north and the centre, thus reducing yield potential for coarse grains which were in the critical grain-filling/maturation stage. Rains were limited in the west in early October and almost completely ceased in mid-October. In the agro-pastoral areas, pastures are abundant while most dams and water points have been refilled. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission which visited the country in late October estimated with national services the aggregate output of cereals in 2001 at 2 796 000 tonnes. This is 22 percent above the previous year's level and 15 percent above average.

Following this good harvest, the overall food supply is expected to improve from the precarious situation during the lean season following the 2000 reduced harvest in several areas. The national security stock which was depleted by food aid distributions or sales at subsidized prices, is expected to be reconstituted to its optimal level of 35 000 tonnes. However, localized food supply difficulties may persist in some areas affected by poor crops due to the early end of the season.

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

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Previous five years average production

-

98

2 330

2 428

Previous five years average imports

63

110

19

192

2001/02 Domestic Availability

-

76

2 696

2 772

2001 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

100

2 696

2 796

2001 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

66

2 696

2 762

Possible stock drawdown

-

10

-

10

2001/02 Utilization

60

186

2 696

2 942

Food use

59

174

2 115

2 348

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

20

20

Non-food use

1

12

416

429

Exports or re-exports

-

-

45

45

Possible stock build up

-

-

120

120

2001/02 Import Requirement

60

110

-

170

Anticipated commercial imports

50

100

-

150

Food aid needs

10

10

-

20

Current Aid Position
       
Food aid pledges

2

11

-

13

of which: delivered

-

-

-

-

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

-

-

of which: for local use

-

-

-

-

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)

5

15

180

200

Indexes
       
2001 Production as % of average:
     

115

2001/02 Import requirement as % of average:
     

89


FAO/GIEWS - December 2001

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