Area:
|
570 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
North-east is semi-arid to arid; mountainous central and south-western areas have two rainy seasons: March-May and November December.
|
Population:
|
31.61 million (2002 estimate), GNP per caput US$360 (2000)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; regular importer and occasional exporter of grain.
|
Logistics:
|
Good port (Mombasa) and extensive rail and road network. Gateway to Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers
|
Marketing year:
|
October/September; Lean season: June-July
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
56 percent
|
The 2002 main "long rains" cropping season has began and the outlook is favourable due to the forecasted near normal rainfall in major producing areas. Exceptions are Turkana, western Marsabit, northern coastal districts and areas around the shores of Lake Victoria.
Harvesting of the 2001/02 secondary "short rains" cereal crop, which accounts for some 15 percent of annual production, is complete. favourable rains during the season in main producing areas have helped improve yields. This crop provides the main source of food in parts of Central and Eastern provinces. The 2001 main "long rains" cereal crop was significantly higher than in 2000, mainly reflecting abundant and well distributed rains in the main producing area of the Rift Valley Province. Maize production has been estimated at 2.34 million tonnes for the season, an increase of about 20 percent over the previous year. The aggregate 2001/02 maize production is now estimated at 2.7 million tonnes. Reflecting the good maize crop and carryover stocks, prices have declined sharply in recent months, prompting the Government to appeal to donors to increase local purchases.
Despite an overall improvement in food supply, food supply difficulties persist in pastoral areas, particularly in Turkana, Mandera and parts of Marsabit Districts.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total | |
|
Previous five years average production |
230 |
52 |
2 357 |
2 639 |
Previous five years average imports |
553 |
78 |
920 |
1 551 |
|
2001/02 Domestic Availability |
300 |
36 |
3 089 |
3 425 |
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
230 |
55 |
2 939 |
3 224 |
2001 Production (rice in milled terms) |
230 |
36 |
2 939 |
3 205 |
Possible stock drawdown |
70 |
- |
150 |
220 |
|
2001/02 Utilization |
840 |
141 |
3 489 |
4 470 |
Food use |
807 |
120 |
3 079 |
4 006 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
100 |
100 |
Non-food use |
33 |
21 |
400 |
454 |
Exports or re-exports |
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2001/02 Import Requirement |
540 |
105 |
400 |
1 045 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
470 |
105 |
200 |
775 |
Food aid needs |
70 |
- |
200 |
270 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
Food aid pledges |
38 |
- |
71 |
108 |
of which: delivered |
38 |
- |
71 |
108 |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
5 |
5 |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
for export |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
26 |
4 |
97 |
127 |
Indexes |
||||
2001 Production as % of average: |
122 | |||
2001/02 Import requirement as % of average: |
67 |
