FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2002 SUDAN 42

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SUDAN

Area:
2.4 million sq.km
Climate:
From north to south, arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry. Rainy season: May-October
Population:
32.81 million (2002 estimate); GNP per caput: US$320 (2000)
Specific characteristics of the country:
Low-income food-deficit country; cereal production mainly in eastern and central areas.
Logistics:
Roads, railway and river transport inadequate
Major foodcrops:
Sorghum, millet, wheat, roots and tubers, oils
Marketing year:
November/October; Lean season: September-October
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
51 percent


CURRENT SITUATION


An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to the country in October-December 2001 forecast the 2001/02 total cereal production at about 4.75 million tonnes, comprising 3.77 million tonnes of sorghum, about 579 000 tonnes of millet, 315 000 tonnes of wheat (to be harvested in April/May 2002) and about 146 000 tonnes of other cereals. At this level, cereal production is about 38 percent above last year's crop and about 13 percent above the average of the last five years. Sorghum market prices have fallen below production costs in main producing areas, and this may depress planted area next year.

Nevertheless, several zones in southern Sudan will experience food shortages mainly due to population displacement and insecurity, while parts of northern Sudan have suffered crop failures due to erratic rainfall. Therefore, targeted emergency food assistance will be required in these areas. It is particularly important to facilitate the timely purchase and transfer of grains from surplus to deficit areas to support both producers and consumers.

For various interventions in the drought affected States of Kordofan, Darfur and the Red Sea, an estimated 78 000 tonnes of cereals are required. In southern Sudan, where insecurity is a major cause of food aid needs, the overall needs are estimated at 52 000 tonnes. In addition, food aid needs in the Nuba Mountains (both northern and southern sectors) amount to about 25 000 tonnes. In total, 155 000 tonnes of food aid will be required in 2002 to assist about 2 million IDPs, drought affected and vulnerable people.


CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2001/02 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)


 

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Previous five years average production

384

5

4 026

4 415

Previous five years average imports

967

31

88

1 086

2001/02 Domestic Availability

315

12

4 418

4 745

2001 Production (rice in paddy terms)

315

18

4 418

4 751

2001 Production (rice in milled terms)

315

12

4 418

4 745

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

2001/02 Utilization

1 465

42

4 508

6 015

Food use

1 384

41

3 280

4 705

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

300

300

Non-food use

31

1

748

780

Exports or re-exports

-

-

100

100

Possible stock build up

50

-

380

430

2001/02 Import Requirement

1 150

30

90

1 270

Anticipated commercial imports

1 100

30

-

1 130

Food aid needs

50

-

90

140

Current Aid Position

       

Food aid pledges

11

-

11

22.0

of which: delivered

-

-

11

11

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

10

10

of which: for local use

-

-

10

10

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)

42

1

100

143

Indexes

       

2001 Production as % of average:

     

108

2001/02 Import requirement as % of average:

     

117


FAO/GIEWS - April 2002

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