FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2002 BENIN 2

Area:	111 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south (Mar.-Jul. and Oct.) and one in north (May-Oct.)
Population:	6.43 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput US$380 (2000)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:	Ports, roads, rail adequate; gateway to Niger
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, maize
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: April-June
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	37 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Planting of the first maize crop is underway in the south and will progress northwards following the onset of the rains. The first official estimate of aggregate 2001 cereal production, mostly maize and sorghum, is 904 000 tonnes, some 100 000 tonnes lower than the record of the previous year but slightly above average.

The overall food supply situation remains satisfactory; markets are well supplied and prices have decreased slightly. Cereal imports for domestic use and re-exports during the 2002 marketing year are estimated at 144 000 tonnes including 14 000 tonnes of food aid.

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

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Previous five years average production

-

34

855

889

Previous five years average imports

53

97

4

154

2002 Domestic Availability

-

29

910

939

2001 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

49

855

904

2001 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

29

855

884

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

55

55

2002 Utilization

58

113

912

1 083

Food use

52

81

647

780

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

1

7

210

218

Exports or re-exports

5

25

55

85

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

2002 Import Requirement

58

84

2

144^1/

Anticipated commercial imports

55

75

-

130

Food aid needs

3

9

2

14

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges

3

9

-

12

of which: delivered

-

8

-

8

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

-

-

of which: for local use

-

-

-

-

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)

8

13

101

121

Indexes

2001 Production as % of average:

102

2002 Import requirement as % of average:

94

1/ Includes 5 000 tonnes of wheat and 25 000 tonnes of rice for re-exports.

FAO/GIEWS - April 2002

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	34	855	889
Previous five years average imports	53	97	4	154
2002 Domestic Availability	-	29	910	939
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	49	855	904
2001 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	29	855	884
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	55	55
2002 Utilization	58	113	912	1 083
Food use	52	81	647	780
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	7	210	218
Exports or re-exports	5	25	55	85
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2002 Import Requirement	58	84	2	144^1/
Anticipated commercial imports	55	75	-	130
Food aid needs	3	9	2	14
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	3	9	-	12
of which: delivered	-	8	-	8
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	8	13	101	121
Indexes
2001 Production as % of average:				102
2002 Import requirement as % of average:				94