Area: |
1 025 000 sq.km |
Climate: |
Mostly a Saharian country; semi-arid fringe in extreme south with rains in June-September |
Population: |
2.80 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$370 (2000) |
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
Logistics: |
Port capacity adequate, though storms during January-March sometimes cause difficulties |
Major foodcrops: |
Wheat, rice, millet and sorghum |
Marketing year: |
November/October; Lean season: July-September |
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
54 percent |
Above-normal precipitation were received in September, but rains ceased in October. The area planted to rainfed ("dieri") and lowland ("bas-fonds") crops is estimated to be lower than in 2000 as many farmers chose not to plant rainfed highland crops or abandoned fields following short dry spells during the months of July and August. The Senegal River did not reach flood stage until early September, which is late in the season. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission which visited the country in mid-October estimated the aggregate output of cereals in 2001/02 at 161 800 tonnes. This is 9 percent below 2000/01 level and 4 percent above average. This decrease is due to lower irrigated and walo/recession crop production and to lower yields for rainfed crops. By contrast, production in low-lying areas is expected to increase by 23 percent from the 2000 level as all operational dams are over 70 percent full.
The food supply situation will remain tight in several areas, notably in the Senegal river valley and in the Aftout. Already 79 communes in Gorgol, Brakna, Tagant, Adrar, Trarza and Hodh El Chargui have been identified as at risk of food shortages.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Previous five years average production
|
- |
82 |
86 |
168 |
|
Previous five years average imports
|
245 |
59 |
9 |
313 |
|
2001/02 Domestic Availability
|
50 |
39 |
102 |
191 |
|
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
- |
58 |
102 |
160 |
|
2001 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
- |
39 |
102 |
141 |
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
50 |
- |
- |
50 |
|
2001/02 Utilization
|
230 |
109 |
131 |
470 |
|
Food use
|
195 |
101 |
114 |
410 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use
|
20 |
7 |
16 |
43 |
|
Exports or re-exports
|
15 |
1 |
1 |
17 |
|
Possible stock build up
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2001/02 Import Requirement
|
180 |
70 |
29 |
279 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports
|
170 |
60 |
27 |
257 |
|
Food aid needs
|
10 |
10 |
2 |
22 |
|
Current Aid Position
|
||||
|
Food aid pledges
|
3 |
7 |
1 |
11 |
|
of which: delivered
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: for local use
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
for export
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)
|
70 |
36 |
41 |
146 |
|
Indexes
|
||||
|
2001 Production as % of average:
|
95 |
|||
|
2001/02 Import requirement as % of average:
|
89 |
1/ Including 15 000 tonnes for re-export.
