Area: |
72 000 sq.km |
Climate: |
Mostly tropical wet-dry; extreme south tropical wet; rainy season: March-October |
Population: |
5.03 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$130 (2000) |
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
Logistics: |
Roads inadequate |
Major foodcrops: |
Rice, roots and tubers |
Marketing year: |
January/December; Lean season: July-August |
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
57 percent |
Following somewhat reduced precipitation in early to mid-September, rains increased in late September and remained abundant and above average during the entire month of October. Rice production is expected to be above last year's level reflecting increased plantings by returning farmers and improved conditions for distribution of inputs.
The security situation is reported to be calm. Disarmament and demobilization activities continue in Bo district. The food supply situation remains tight. About 400 000 IDPs and returnees are in various camps but mostly in the main towns and in Tonkili and Port Loko districts. The improvement of the security situation facilitated access to vulnerable populations. WFP planned to distribute more than 50 000 tonnes of food to an estimated 544 000 people during 2001. NGOs planned also to distribute around 37 000 tonnes in the same period. The country continues to rely heavily on international food assistance
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
Previous five years average production
|
- |
347 |
45 |
392 |
Previous five years average imports
|
78 |
109 |
30 |
217 |
2001 Domestic Availability
|
- |
119 |
23 |
142 |
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
- |
198 |
23 |
221 |
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
- |
119 |
23 |
142 |
Possible stock drawdown
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
2001 Utilization
|
80 |
369 |
53 |
502 |
Food use
|
80 |
339 |
48 |
467 |
of which: local purchase requirement
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use
|
- |
30 |
5 |
35 |
Exports or re-exports
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Possible stock build up
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
2001 Import Requirement
|
80 |
250 |
30 |
360 |
Anticipated commercial imports
|
50 |
200 |
- |
250 |
Food aid needs
|
30 |
50 |
30 |
110 |
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
39 |
- |
14 |
53 |
of which: delivered
|
26 |
- |
14 |
40 |
Donor-financed purchases
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: for local use
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)
|
16 |
67 |
10 |
93 |
Indexes
|
||||
2000 Production as % of average:
|
56 |
|||
2001 Import requirement as % of average:
|
166 |