FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2002 LIBERIA 25

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LIBERIA

Area:
96 000 sq.km
Climate:
Southern half tropical wet, northern half tropical wet-dry; rainy season: March-November
Population:
3.0 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: n.a.
Specific characteristics of the country:
Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:
Ports and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:
Rice, roots and tubers, oils
Marketing year:
January/December; Lean season: July-August
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
48 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


In Liberia, the output of the 2001 paddy crop is estimated slightly above the 144 000 tonnes produced in the previous year, reflecting generally favourable weather and a relatively calm security situation. However, the general security situation has deteriorated in recent weeks, with the Government declaring a state of emergency on 8 February 2002.

About 60 000 IDP needing urgent support have been reported around Monrovia and in Bong County nearby while at least 12 000 Liberians refugees were registered at the Sierra Leone border town Jendema in the early March. UNHCR has relocated part of refugees from Jendema to Jimi Bagbo camp in the southeastern district of Pujehun, and to temporary settlements that have housed Sierra Leoneans returning from neighbouring Guinea and Liberia.

WFP is currently assisting 75 000 IDPs throughout the country.


CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2002 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)


 

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Previous five years average production

-

115

-

115

Previous five years average imports

61

101

17

179

2002 Domestic Availability

-

94

-

94

2001 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

145

-

145

2001 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

94

-

94

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

2002 Utilization

55

239

10

304

Food use

53

218

10

281

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

2

21

-

23

Exports or re-exports

-

-

-

-

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

2002 Import Requirement

55

145

10

210

Anticipated commercial imports

40

140

-

180

Food aid needs

15

5

10

30

Current Aid Position

       

Food aid pledges

5

-

1

6

of which: delivered

5

-

1

6

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

-

-

of which: for local use

-

-

-

-

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)

18

72

3

93

Indexes

       

2001 Production as % of average:

     

126

2002 Import requirement as % of average:

     

117


FAO/GIEWS - April 2002

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