FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 BENIN 2

BENIN

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:

5.68 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput US$ 380 (1998)

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

The first rains started in mid-March in the south, allowing planting of the first maize crop. The aggregate output of cereals (including rice in paddy equivalent) in 1999 is estimated at 925 000 tonnes, which is well above average. As a result, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. However, at the end of last rainy season, in September/October, floods in many villages displaced thousands of people. Cereal imports, for domestic use and re-exports, during the 2000 marketing year are estimated at 145 000 tonnes and the food aid requirement is estimated at 10 000 tonnes.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production - 19 719 738

Normal Imports 50 100 4 154

of which: Structural food aid 3 6 4 13

2000 Domestic Availability - 22 889 910

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 37 889 925

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - 22 889 910

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

2000 Utilization 60 107 889 1 055

Food Use 49 71 580 699

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 1 6 219 226

Exports or Re-exports 5 25 45 75

Possible stock build up 5 5 45 55

2000 Import Requirement 60 85 - 145¹^/

Anticipated commercial imports 55 80 - 135

Food aid needs 5 5 - 10

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 4 - 2 6

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 9 12 101 122

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 125

2000 import requirement as % of normal: 94

2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: 77

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

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

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:	5.68 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput US$ 380 (1998)
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

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	19	719	738
Normal Imports	50	100	4	154
of which: Structural food aid	3	6	4	13
2000 Domestic Availability	-	22	889	910
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	37	889	925
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	22	889	910
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
2000 Utilization	60	107	889	1 055
Food Use	49	71	580	699
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	1	6	219	226
Exports or Re-exports	5	25	45	75
Possible stock build up	5	5	45	55
2000 Import Requirement	60	85	-	145¹^/
Anticipated commercial imports	55	80	-	135
Food aid needs	5	5	-	10
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	4	-	2	6
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	9	12	101	122
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				125
2000 import requirement as % of normal:				94
2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				77