Area:
|
246 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Tropical wet-dry; rainy season: March/June to October/November
|
Population:
|
7.57 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$450 (2000)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; mountainous coastal country
|
Logistics:
|
Ports and roads inadequate
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Rice, roots and tubers, coarse grains
|
Marketing year:
|
January/December; Lean season: July-September
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
52 percent
|
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory following satisfactory harvests in 2000 and 2001. The first official estimate of aggregate 2001 cereal production is 1 026 000 tonnes, slightly lower than previous year but above average. Markets are well supplied, except in the south-east where recurrent rebel incursions from Sierra Leone have severely affected agricultural and marketing activities.
The presence of a large refugee population and the persistent instability in the sub-region have exacted a heavy toll on the country. Armed clashes in and around the country have also resulted in increasing numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs). A UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal was launched on 26 November 2001 to assist the country to cope with the serious humanitarian situation.
The cereal import requirement for the 2002 marketing year is estimated at 330 000 tonnes.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total | |
|
Previous five years average production |
- |
769 |
215 |
984 |
Previous five years average imports |
114 |
232 |
3 |
349 |
|
2002 Domestic Availability |
- |
546 |
237 |
783 |
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
789 |
237 |
1 026 |
2001 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
526 |
237 |
763 |
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
20 |
- |
20 |
|
2002 Utilization |
110 |
761 |
242 |
1 113 |
Food use |
107 |
636 |
197 |
940 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use |
3 |
115 |
45 |
164 |
Exports or re-exports |
- |
10 |
- |
10 |
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2002 Import Requirement |
110 |
215 |
5 |
330 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
100 |
200 |
- |
300 |
Food aid needs |
10 |
15 |
5 |
30 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
Food aid pledges |
- |
14 |
4 |
18 |
of which: delivered |
- |
14 |
4 |
18 |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
14 |
84 |
26 |
124 |
Indexes |
||||
2001 Production as % of average: |
104 | |||
2002 Import requirement as % of average: |
95 |
